Timeline

April 3, 2025 – The American Federation of Government Employees and other unions filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. 

On March 27, President Trump issued an executive order that excludes agencies with “national security missions” from the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. The action removes collective bargaining rights for workers at more than 30 federal agencies that involve the issues of national defense, border security, foreign relations, energy security, pandemic preparedness, cybersecurity, economic defense, and public safety. Notably, the executive order does not impact law enforcement.

Under the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, federal unions can bargain over a limited set of conditions of employment. The Trump administration cites having to negotiate with unions over matters of performance and changes in working conditions as threats to national security and justification to removing collective bargaining rights of federal workers. However, collective bargaining provides pathways to resolve conflicts, improve retention, and boost workplace morale.

The executive order is a direct response to the federal unions that are challenging the Trump administration’s actions. Under President Trump’s second term, his administration has issued numerous attacks on the federal workforce, many of which courts have found to be illegal. The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents federal workers, is preparing to take legal action against the Trump administration over the executive order.  

Impact: The executive order strips more than a million federal workers of their collective bargaining rights. These workers no longer have the right to organize with their coworkers and improve their working conditions so they can efficiently provide services the public relies on.