Labor Unions Sue Trump Admin Over Alleged Retaliatory Executive Order

Federal Unions File Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Over Executive Order

WASHINGTON – In response to a recent executive order by the Trump administration, federal labor unions have initiated legal action, claiming the order unlawfully targets over a million federal employees by stripping their union rights. The unions argue this move is a direct retaliation for their previous legal victories against the administration's workplace policies.

The lawsuit was lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. It contends that the executive order retaliates against unions like the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which represents over 820,000 federal workers, for exercising their right to free speech. The White House fact sheet mentioned AFGE specifically, highlighting the ongoing tension.

The complaint further alleges that the administration's broad application of the national security exemption unfairly removes collective bargaining rights from workers in various departments, including the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Environmental Protection Agency, whose roles do not primarily involve national security.

The lawsuit, filed by Bredhoff and Kaiser, includes several plaintiffs alongside AFGE: the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), National Association of Government Employees (NAGE-SEIU), National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM), National Nurses United (NNU), and Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Together, these organizations represent over 950,000 federal employees.

Everett Kelley, National President of AFGE, stated, “AFGE is not going to be intimidated by a bully who is throwing a temper tantrum because our union is beating them in the court of law and in the court of public opinion.” Kelley emphasized that federal employees have long held the right to unionize, serving the nation through various crises without their unions being deemed a national security threat.

Nancy Hagans, RN, president of the National Nurses United (NNU), commented on the importance of collective bargaining for VA nurses, stating that it ensures patient safety and quality care. She criticized the administration's actions as an intimidation tactic aimed at silencing opposition to its VA policies.

AFSCME President Lee Saunders remarked, “Federal workers and all AFSCME members have been making their voices heard in court and on the streets to protect public services and their jobs. They won’t let billionaires raid our communities without consequence – and that’s why they’re facing retaliation.”

David J. Holway, National President of NAGE, expressed concern that the executive order not only attacks federal workers but also diminishes public services, emphasizing that the impact would ultimately harm the American public.

April Verrett, president of SEIU, stated, “America’s public service workers don’t work for profits, politics, or for glory – they serve our nation. The President’s unlawful executive order attacking federal unions is not only an attack on a million federal workers, but is a direct attack on all workers who seek a collective voice to bargain for a better future.”

Randy Erwin, National President of NFFE-IAM, described the executive order as a significant assault on collective bargaining rights, reaffirming confidence that the legal system would uphold the rights of workers.

National Nurses United (NNU) is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association. For more information, go to www.nnu.org

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing more than 820,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia. For the latest AFGE news and information, visit the AFGE Media Center.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees’ (AFSCME) 1.4 million members provide the vital services that make America happen. With members in communities across the nation, serving in hundreds of different occupations — from nurses to corrections officers, child care providers to sanitation workers — AFSCME advocates for fairness in the workplace, excellence in public services and freedom and opportunity for all working families.

The National Association of Government Employees (NAGE-SEIU) represents over 125,000 public and private sector workers across the country, including 75,000 Federal employees. Individuals who work tirelessly to keep our communities running; from keeping the lights on and water clean, highways safe, and State & Federal Governments running, to providing essential EMS care and community protection services, NAGE members set the standard of service. For more information, please visit nage.org

Bredhoff & Kaiser PLLC is one of the nation’s preeminent law firms devoted to empowering workers and the institutions that advocate for them.

Established in 1917, the National Federation of Federal Employees is America’s first union representing civil service federal employees. NFFE represents approximately 110,000 federal employees in 35 departments and agencies government-wide. NFFE is affiliated with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO. For more information, go to www.nffe.org.

The Service Workers International Union (SEIU) unites 2 million diverse members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. SEIU members working in the healthcare industry, public sector and property services believe in the power of joining together on the job to win higher wages and benefits and to create better communities while fighting for a more just society and an economy that works for all of us, not just corporations and the wealthy. Learn more at www.seiu.org

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