All eyes are on the U.S. Senate after a bipartisan majority of lawmakers in the U.S. House approved legislation last week to restore collective bargaining rights for more than a million federal employees.
The House voted 231-195 on Dec. 11 to approve the Protect America’s Workforce Act (HR 2550), which would rescind the executive orders President Trump issued in March and August that banned collective bargaining for most of the federal workforce.
“By voting to approve the Protect America’s Workforce Act, 231 members of Congress have demonstrated their support for the nonpartisan civil service, for the dedicated employees who serve our country with honor and distinction, and for the critical role that collective bargaining has in fostering a safe, protective, and collaborative workplace,” AFGE National President Everett Kelley said.
“We need to build on this seismic victory in the House and get immediate action in the Senate – and also ensure that any future budget bills similarly protect collective bargaining rights for the largely unseen civil servants who keep our government running,” Kelley said.
AFGE extends its deep appreciation to every member of Congress who voted for the bill – standing up for the rights of federal workers to protect our nation, care for veterans, process Social Security benefits, secure our borders, respond to disasters, and keep the government running for the American people.
President Kelley specifically thanked Reps. Jared Golden of Maine and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania for their efforts to build a bipartisan collation of pro-labor lawmakers in support of restoring federal workers’ union rights.
Take Action Now: Help us get this bill over the finish line by urging your U.S. senators to support S. 2837, the Senate version of the House-passed bill that would restore federal workers’ collective bargaining rights. Every member of the Democratic caucus has cosponsored this bill, as well as Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine. We need additional bipartisan support to ensure its passage.
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