FDA considers privatizing 300 jobs

WASHINGTON The Food and Drug Administration may outsource hundreds of jobs to private companies, according to agency officials, the Associated Press reported.

The government’s chief health regulatory agency is reviewing more than 300 administrative positions in more than 20 cities to determine whether they could be performed cheaper and better by the private sector. A decision is expected next month, according to FDA documents.

The National Treasury Employees Union, which represents more than half of the FDA’s 9,000 workers, is urging Congress to oppose the agency’s plan.

"It is a disgrace given the recent crises we have experienced with our food supply and other imports," Colleen Kelley, the union’s president, said in a statement Wednesday, according to the Associated Press.

A presentation for FDA staffers in July informed attendees that the positions under review are classified as "commercial" and do not have to be performed by government employees.