The Defense Enterprise Collective Agreement (DECA) 2017 is a significant agreement that impacts many members of the United States defense community. It covers employees who work for the Department of Defense (DoD) and are part of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).

One of the key aspects of the DECA 2017 is the focus on compensation. The agreement includes a 2.1% pay increase for all employees covered by the agreement. Additionally, there are specific pay provisions for certain positions, such as firefighters and police officers. All of these changes are designed to help ensure that employees are fairly compensated for their work.

Another important aspect of the DECA 2017 is the emphasis on employee benefits. The agreement includes provisions to enhance employee healthcare benefits, including better coverage for mental health and substance abuse treatment. This is an important step forward in recognizing the importance of mental health treatment for employees in highly stressful and demanding positions.

The DECA 2017 also includes provisions for employee turnover and retention. The agreement creates a pilot program to help retain experienced employees in high-demand occupations. This is a critical issue as the military and other defense agencies face a high rate of turnover in certain positions.

Overall, the DECA 2017 is an important agreement that recognizes the critical role played by DoD employees in ensuring our national security. By providing fair compensation and improving benefits and retention, the agreement helps to ensure that the military and other defense agencies can attract and retain the talent needed to keep our country safe.