Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act Aims to Protect Union Rights

With labor unions receiving strong support amid growing challenges, a call for the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act emerges to safeguard the negotiation rights of public service workers across the nation.

WASHINGTON – In a united front, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) along with other union allies, joined forces with Senator Mazie Hirono and Representatives Donald Norcross, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Chris Deluzio to introduce the bipartisan Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act. Originally proposed in 2019, this legislation aims to establish a baseline for collective bargaining rights nationwide, currently absent in 25 states for public service workers.

Amidst significant challenges faced by public service employees, driven by billionaire-led initiatives, leaders from AFSCME, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Communications Workers of America (CWA), and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) highlighted the necessity of this legislation at a recent press event.

AFSCME President Lee Saunders emphasized the urgency of passing the legislation, stating, “Passing this legislation has never been more urgent — especially now, as federal workers face unprecedented attacks on their collective bargaining rights. We believe, as most Americans do, that every worker deserves a union — no matter who they work for. This bill is about something fundamental: respect. Respect for the public service workers who’ve devoted their careers to serving their communities. And respect means the freedom to negotiate.”

Eliana Holgate, an AFSCME Council 3 member, shared her positive experience with collective bargaining in Maryland, expressing that workers should not be dependent on varying state laws to secure negotiation rights. "We should not have to rely on a patchwork of laws nationwide. Workers like our nurses, school bus drivers and library workers should have the freedom to join a union and have the union we choose recognized,” she said.

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler also voiced strong support for the act, noting, “When workers stand together in a union, their jobs and lives improve. But in half of the country, the people who keep our cities and towns running are banned from collectively bargaining for a good union contract. Every day, the attacks on the fundamental freedoms of workers who keep our streets and water clean, our public transportation moving, and our children learning are increasing from the highest level of government. We need federal law to protect their rights to form a union and negotiate fair contracts that allow them to continue to do the work that is so essential to our communities. We call on every member of Congress to stand with working people and support the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act.”

Senator Mazie Hirono highlighted the critical roles of public sector workers, asserting their right to organize. “Public sector workers teach our children, protect our safety, and keep our communities moving forward—they deserve the right to organize,” she remarked. “The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act will help ensure that millions of public sector workers across our country have the federal protections they deserve as they fight for fair wages, benefits, and improved working conditions. Private sector workers are already guaranteed the right to organize under federal law, it should be common sense that public sector workers are afforded those same rights. As President Trump works to gut our public sector workforce, this bill is crucial to protect workers’ freedom to organize and bargain collectively. I’m proud to lead this important legislation with Representative Norcross to help ensure that every public employee has their voice heard in the workplace.”

Congressman Donald Norcross, reflecting on his own experiences as a union member, reinforced the importance of the bill, saying, “I know the power of collective bargaining because I’ve lived it. I spent decades at the negotiating table standing up for working families — fighting for fair pay, safer jobs, and better benefits like health care and retirement. This bill ensures public-sector workers across the country have that same right to a voice on the job and a seat at the table.”

Congressman Chris Deluzio echoed the sentiment, advocating for equal rights across all sectors: “No matter where they live, American workers in every sector should have the ability to form and join a union, or to collectively bargain to improve their workplace. Public servants should have this right, just like other workers. Now is the time for solidarity: let’s come together and stand with hardworking Americans, defend the union way of life, and pass the bipartisan Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act.”

Communications Workers of America President Claude Cummings Jr. highlighted the erosion of workers' rights over the years, urging Congress to act swiftly: "For years now, the rights of workers like nurses, librarians, educators, and all our essential public servants who dedicate themselves to our communities have been chipped away at, despite their dedication and selfless service to their communities. That's why the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act is so vital. It protects public sector workers' fundamental right to join together, bargain for fair pay, and stand up for decent working conditions. Congress needs to step up and pass this now and push back against efforts trying to undermine these essential rights."

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, underlined the positive impact of collective bargaining on various communities, stating, “As education, healthcare and public service workers, our members make a difference in the lives of others every day. But too many states don’t allow the people who do the work to have a voice. The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act would change that, ensuring public servants, no matter where they reside, have a means to influence their own lives. Whether it’s higher wages, safer working conditions, or a secure retirement, the ability to organize a union and bargain collectively lifts working families, students, patients, and entire communities up. That’s why we enthusiastically support this legislation and are committed to moving it forward.”