On Feb. 21, the administration published in the Federal Register a memo from the President to Defense Secretary Mark Esper delegating to the Defense Secretary the power to deny Department of Defense workers the freedom to collectively bargain. With the stroke of a pen, Secretary Esper or his designee could strip union rights from any or all DoD workers.

AFGE vehemently opposes any effort to strip union rights from federal employees, and we are working with our bipartisan colleagues in the Congress and our pro-worker allies in labor to prevent this from happening at DoD or anywhere else. Click the links below for the latest updates and learn what you can do to support our union rights!

Take Action:

Congressional Letters

• Senate Democratic Caucus Letter to Secretary Esper
• Sens. Warren, Sanders, Brown, Markey, Gillibrand Feb. 28 Letter to Secretary Esper
• Sens. Collins, Cardin, Kaine, Warner, Van Hollen, Peters Feb. 27 Letter to President Trump

AFGE Letters

• AFGE Letter Regarding Support on NDAA for Fiscal Year 2021 Issues
• AFGE Letter on DoD Recommendations and Commercial Items
• President Kelley Feb. 14 Letter to Members of Congress

Join the Townhall Project

Talking Points

• Talking Points on White House Memo

Agency Instruction

• COVID-19 DHA Return to Workplace Staffing Plan

AFGE In the News

• 'A Travesty and a Disgrace': Trump Quietly Issues Memo That Could Abolish Union Rights for 750,000 Federal Workers – Common Dreams
• White House Memo Could End Unionization at the Pentagon – Government Executive
• Uncertain fate lies ahead for DoD collective bargaining with Trump memo – Federal News Network
• Senators From Both Political Parties Urge Trump to 'Reconsider' Defense Union Memo – Government Executive
• [AUDIO] AFGE DEFCON Chair Felicia Sharp Discusses Memo – WORT Labor Radio (Madison, Wis.)
• Defense secretary didn’t ask for new union bargaining rules, unsure if he’ll use them – Federal Times

Contact Us

Please contact the following AFGE staff for all questions related to this agency’s legislative and political activity:  

District

To contact your District’s Legislative Political Organizer click here.