The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) and several labor unions have initiated legal action against the Trump administration’s executive order ending collective bargaining with federal unions. The lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for Northern California, contends that the executive order is an unlawful retaliatory measure aimed at federal employee unions engaged in constitutionally protected activities.
Furthermore, the lawsuit argues that the Trump administration excessively applied the national security exemption. This has reportedly led to the removal of collective bargaining rights for over a million workers in roles not primarily focused on national security. These workers are employed in agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, Bureau of Land Management, General Services Administration, Passport Services, the Department of Agriculture, and the Federal Aviation Administration, among others.
NFFE National President Erwin expressed strong opposition to the executive order, stating, “The right of federal employees to join a union is protected by the Constitution and has been supported by Presidents of both parties for decades. We believe the Trump Administration is blatantly violating both the Constitution and federal law in a misguided attempt to bust federal unions. In our view, this is the most anti-worker and anti-union action this country has ever seen. NFFE and our allies are confident the rule of law will be upheld and the critical rights of working people will be protected.”
