A federal judge ruled on Tuesday to block the Trump administration’s attempt to eliminate union bargaining for thousands of federal workers across the country.
The ruling sided with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and several other unions, declaring that President Trump’s executive order allowing federal agencies to bypass union negotiations is likely unlawful.
Judge’s Ruling and Opinion
In a 29-page opinion, U.S. District Judge James Donato emphasized that federal workers have had the right to unionize and collectively bargain for better working conditions for over 60 years.
He stated that Trump’s order posed a threat to the “long-standing status quo” that has been in place for decades. Judge Donato pointed out that the unions involved in the lawsuit “appear to have been deemed hostile to the President,” which may have contributed to the executive order.
Donato blocked the 21 federal agencies targeted by the executive order from following through with the plan until the outcome of a trial in the unions’ lawsuit. Court proceedings have not yet been scheduled.
Background of the Lawsuit
The unions filed a lawsuit in April after President Trump signed an executive order directing various federal agencies to end union contracts.
The Trump administration argued that provisions in the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, which permits government workers to unionize, allowed unions to obstruct agency management, especially in national security agencies.
A memo from the Office of Personnel Management instructed agencies to terminate their collective bargaining agreements.
However, Judge Donato ruled that, while the executive branch’s judgment on national security matters carries significant weight, the courts do not defer to the administration’s interpretation of the First Amendment, even when national security concerns are involved.
Reaction from Unions
The unions involved in the case celebrated the judge’s ruling as a significant victory. David Holway, president of the National Association of Government Employees, called the decision a “resounding rejection of the Trump administration’s authoritarian tactics.”
Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, praised the decision as “justice for federal workers who were unfairly retaliated against and had their freedom to collectively bargain ripped away.”
Everett Kelley, AFGE National President, expressed his gratitude, stating, “President Trump revoked our members’ union rights in retaliation for our advocacy on behalf of federal workers and the American people.”
He also commended the judge for recognizing that the “national security” justification presented by the Trump administration was disingenuous.
Next Steps
Judge Donato noted that a trial date would be set in a separate order. This ruling is a significant development in the ongoing struggle between the Trump administration and labor unions representing federal workers, as it temporarily restores the rights of workers to bargain collectively until further legal proceedings unfold.