AFSCME Member Urges Congress to Preserve UI Merit Staffing System

Unemployment Insurance System Faces Calls for Protection

In a recent congressional hearing, Shelby Meyenburg, an unemployment specialist from Washington, highlighted the critical role of merit staffing within the Unemployment Insurance (UI) system. As a member of the Washington Federation of State Employees (AFSCME Council 28), Meyenburg emphasized the importance of maintaining a skilled workforce to prevent fraud and ensure efficient service delivery.

During the hearing, Meyenburg explained that well-trained UI workers are essential in safeguarding the system against fraud, a sentiment underscored by a Government Accountability Office report which revealed a staggering $100 billion was lost to UI fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of this, only $5 billion has been reclaimed, as noted by the Department of Labor.

Meyenburg shared his personal journey within the UI system to illustrate the stakes. Initially employed in April 2020 as a non-permanent staff member due to the pandemic's demand surge, he observed firsthand the challenges faced by inadequately trained temporary staff. Receiving minimal training, some of these staff were ill-prepared compared to the standard six to eight weeks of training required for permanent roles.

After experiencing layoffs and the reality of unemployment in spring 2022, Meyenburg returned to the UI program in July of the same year, this time with a permanent merit-staff position. Reflecting on his experiences, he stated, “As a UI worker, I both help Washingtonians receive the unemployment insurance benefits they need but also help safeguard the UI system against fraud. My goal is to get the right benefits to the right people on time.”

He urged Congress to value the merit staffing system within UI programs when considering reforms, arguing that outsourced or privatized services could compromise service quality and security. “To do our jobs effectively, we have to be highly skilled and well-trained,” Meyenburg insisted. “This work is critical to our economy and our country. It should not be automated, assigned to staff with substandard training, or outsourced.”

The testimony served as a reminder of the delicate balance between efficiency and security in managing unemployment benefits, underscoring the need for experienced, dedicated personnel to handle such a vital aspect of public service.