Bipartisan Bill Aims to Restore Federal Workers' Bargaining Rights

Federal Workers' Bargaining Rights Under Threat

An executive order issued last March by the administration has sparked significant controversy by revoking collective bargaining rights for over one million federal employees. This decision impacts a substantial segment of federal workers currently under union representation. The move has been met with strong opposition from labor leaders and legislators alike.

AFSCME President Lee Saunders remarked at the time that the order was "a direct effort to silence federal workers’ voice on the job." This sentiment reflects broader concerns that the administration's actions are part of a larger trend to diminish workers' negotiating power.

In response to these developments, Representatives Jared Golden (D-Maine) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) have introduced a bipartisan bill known as H.R. 2550, or the Protect America's Workforce Act. This proposed legislation aims to reinstate the collective bargaining rights for the affected federal employees, effectively nullifying the executive order.

On Thursday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined Golden in urging every member of the House of Representatives to endorse a petition that would expedite H.R. 2550 to a vote on the House floor.

Saunders praised those backing the bill, emphasizing the importance of preserving the rights of federal workers. He stated, "The House of Representatives has the votes to stop this illegal, union-busting executive order from continuing to strip more than 1 million workers of their voice on the job, and the speaker of the House should not be blocking this bill from coming to a vote," as noted in a press release.

Saunders further urged swift action, saying, “We urge the bill’s supporters to act swiftly and compel an immediate vote on the Protect America’s Workforce Act. Federal workers have dedicated their lives to keeping our communities safe and healthy, and they need a voice on the job to continue to defend the essential work they do from the billionaires and anti-union extremists who are trying to rob working people of our power.”

The call to action resonates beyond federal employees, encouraging every union worker to join in the fight for workers' rights.