Labor Federation, Unions File New Lawsuit to Defend Federal Workers’ Collective Bargaining Rights
Organizations representing working people across the federal government, including professional and technical employees, overseas teachers, and workers in shipbuilding, maritime and construction trades, sued the Trump administration today over its union-busting attack on the collective bargaining rights of federal workers.
The lawsuit is part of the labor movement’s ongoing fight in court to ensure that every worker who makes the federal government run has their fundamental freedoms restored, challenging the administration’s attempt to exploit the “national security exemption” to attack the basic rights of workers. Plaintiffs include the AFL-CIO; American Federation of Teachers (AFT); International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE); Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (MEBA); Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P); Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO; and the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA).
“President Trump’s executive order was the single biggest act of union-busting in American history,” said Fred Redmond, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer. “It was an attack on every union worker, every union contract, and the freedom for all of us to organize on the job and our freedom to speak out. But the labor movement is no stranger to attacks like these, and we don’t back down. Today, we are continuing our fight in the courts to restore the fundamental rights of every federal worker in this country.”
“Today, we stand up for over a million workers, including our members at the Overseas Federation of Teachers, who teach in some of the best schools of the nation, our Department of Defense public schools,” said Randi Weingarten, AFT President. “Their work and their voices have been quashed by this illegal executive order. While the administration tries to stifle the voices of our members, we will continue our fight in the courts, on the streets and in Congress to uphold both the law and the right of all workers and their families to have a dignified life.”
"The Trump Administration has undertaken the most draconian, extreme, and illegal campaign of union-busting in American history,” said Matthew Biggs, IFPTE President. “President Trump’s March 27th Executive Order is illegal on several fronts, many of which are itemized in this lawsuit. IFPTE will not sit idly by while this administration promulgates a scorched-earth policy against federal workers and their Unions. We are eager and looking forward to the Court's consideration of our litigation.”
“The International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P) has had positive and mutually beneficial collective bargaining relationships with all our federal employers for decades, without any negative impact on national security,” said MM&P International President Don Josberger. “MM&P members are vital to transporting American products and supplies, ensuring safe vessel movements, and improving safety and navigation on global waterways. Our union will continue to fight to keep our members’ rights to collective bargaining intact.”
Contact: Mia Jacobs, 202-637-5018