The nation’s largest independent union of federal employees has honored U.S Sen. Daniel Akaka of Hawaii for his support of federal workers.

National Treasury Employees Union President Colleen Kelley says Akaka will be missed when he retires at the end of the current term.

Last week, the union honored Akaka for his decades of services at the union’s annual legislative conference in Washington, D.C.

Kelley says that in Akaka’s years in the House and Senate, he has never wavered in his support for federal employees. His support has included pushing for fair pay and fighting to protect collective bargaining rights. 

Akaka says protecting federal employees from attacks on pay and benefits is one of his priorities. 

The union represents 150,000 employees in 31 agencies and departments.