FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2025
March 27, 2025
Contact:
Brittany Holder
(202) 737-8700
[email protected]
AFGE Condemns Trump's Retaliatory Attempt to Outlaw Federal Unions
AFGE President Everett Kelley Issues Strong Rebuke to Retaliatory Executive Order Targeting Federal Employees' Union Rights
WASHINGTON – American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) National President Everett Kelley today issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s latest executive action attacking the collective bargaining rights of over one million federal employees:
“President Trump's latest executive order is a disgraceful and retaliatory attack on the rights of hundreds of thousands of patriotic American civil servants—nearly one-third of whom are veterans—simply because they are members of a union that stands up to his harmful policies.
"This administration’s bullying tactics represent a clear threat not just to federal employees and their unions, but to every American who values democracy and the freedoms of speech and association. Trump’s threat to unions and working people across America is clear: fall in line or else.
“These threats will not work. Americans will not be intimidated or silenced. AFGE isn't going anywhere. Our members have bravely served this nation, often putting themselves in harm’s way, and they deserve far better than this blatant attempt at political punishment.
“AFGE is preparing immediate legal action and will fight relentlessly to protect our rights, our members, and all working Americans from these unprecedented attacks.”
Fast Facts: Federal Sector Collective Bargaining
- Federal unions cannot negotiate over pay, benefits, or hiring/firing decisions.
- Unlike private-sector unions, federal unions are limited to bargaining over conditions of employment—not wages, benefits, or classifications, which are set by law and Congress.
- **Federal employees are prohibited by law from striking.
- Under 5 U.S.C. § 7311, federal workers are legally barred from striking, and doing so can result in termination and a ban from federal employment.
- Nearly one-third of federal employees are veterans.
- Many federal workers are former service members who bring leadership, discipline, and mission commitment to their civilian roles. Stripping their bargaining rights is a betrayal of that service.
- Collective bargaining is governed by the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978.
- This bipartisan law created a structured process for federal workers to address workplace issues without disrupting government operations.
- Unions improve agency performance—not hinder it.
- Collective bargaining helps resolve conflicts early, reduces costly litigation, improves retention, and boosts morale—all of which support better public service.
- Removing bargaining rights opens the door to abuse.
- Without union representation, employees—especially whistleblowers and veterans—lose vital protections from retaliation and political interference.
- Federal unionism has broad historical support.
- Presidents from both parties—Reagan, Clinton, Bush, Obama—have upheld the right of federal workers to union representation.
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