NAGE (nage.org) and many other federal unions are preparing lawsuits to oppose the largest attack on federal employee’s rights since the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA) was enacted in 1978.
On Thursday (3/27/25), a new Executive Order (EO) was issued that basically eliminates federal unions and rescinds all negotiated agreements and rights provided by the CSRA and the Federal Labor-Management Relations Statute (FLMRS).
From govexec.com –
“Trump order aims to outlaw most government unions on ‘national security’ grounds”
“Guidance issued by acting Office of Personnel Management Director Charles Ezell told agencies cited in the edict that they are “no longer subject to the collective bargaining requirements” under Title 5 of the U.S. Code, though they should consult with their general counsel regarding implementation. Agencies have been instructed to cease “participating” in any ongoing grievance proceedings before independent arbitrators.”
The rights being eliminated are described in the “OPM Guidance”, and summarized below:
– Agencies are no longer required to collectively bargain with federal unions.
– Unions lose their status as the exclusively recognized labor organizations for employees of the agencies.
– Agencies should cease participating in grievance procedures, including grievances currently before an arbitrator, and should not participate in further grievance arbitration proceedings following termination of their CBAs.
– Agencies should disregard contractual RIF articles. The President has directed agencies to prepare large-scale reductions in force (RIFs). After terminating their CBAs, covered agencies and subdivisions should conduct RIFs consistent with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, but without regard to provisions in terminated CBAs that go beyond those requirements.
– Agencies should discontinue paid duty time for union representation, and stop the use of agency offices, equipment (computers, phones, etc.) and other resources for representational duties.
– Agencies should end union dues deductions through agency payroll systems.
– Agencies should limit performance improvement periods to 30 days (current DEMO performance plans must be at least 90 days in length).
FUSE attended a conference call with NAGE National President David Holway and other NAGE officials on Friday (3/28/25), which described the lawsuits that are being prepared by NAGE (nage.org) and a coalition of national unions, including:
– Service Employees International Union – SEIU.org
– American Federation of Government Employees – AFGE.org
– National Treasury Employees Union – NTEU.org
– National Federation of Federal Employees – NFFE.org
– International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers – IFPTE.org
– International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers – GOIAM.org
– American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees – AFSCME.org
and many others.
You can read statements from these unions on their websites, but the main point they are all making is that federal unions, and the rights provided by the law and our negotiated agreements, are not going away. We will continue to represent our bargaining unit members, negotiate fair work rules, enforce our negotiated agreements, file grievances and arbitration cases, and pursue all of them until the end. In other words, we are not going anywhere.
NAGE and the other federal unions are confident that this unlawful executive order will be rejected by the courts, just like hundreds of others have been.
We’ll continue posting news and other important information on our website www.fuseunion.org.
You can also reach us at Local1-144@nage.org
Or contact NAGE directly here > www.nage.org/contact-us
JOIN FUSE TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS !!!