Kelley worked as an IRS revenue agent for 14 years, climbing her way through union leadership until she was elected president in 1999. She plans on officially stepping down after the NTEU national convention in August.
In a memo to NTEU chapter presidents, Kelley thanked the NTEU leaders and said she was "in awe every day" of the work they do against great odds.
"I am proud of my NTEU career and the state of our union today … as much as I love my role and our union, I will not be seeking re-election to a fifth term as NTEU National President," she said in the memo.
During her tenure the NTEU helped end IRS efforts to outsource tax debt collections and won enhanced law enforcement officer retirement benefits for Custom and Border Protection officers. During her tenure the union also organized new groups, including attorneys at the Securities and Exchange Commission, scientists at the Food and Drug Administration and employees at the National Credit Union Administration.
Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., and House minority whip, said Kelley provided NTEU with principled and skilled leadership and served with distinction during her time at the IRS and within the NTEU.
"Working Americans in both the public and private sectors should appreciate the advocacy of organized labor on issues they care about: wages and benefits, safe and decent working conditions, and protection from arbitrary and unfair employment practices," Hoyer said. "Colleen has truly embodied the spirit and energy of organized labor in defending the rights and dignity of working men and women at a time of great challenges."
He said she served during a difficult time for federal employees, which included pay freezes, furloughs and a 13-day government shutdown, as well as an increase in pension contributions for new employees.
"I look forward to continuing to work closely with Colleen for the remainder of her term as well as with her successor following NTEU's election this summer, and I wish her all the best with her future endeavors," Hoyer said.
