This statement can be attributed to Lorena Roque, interim director of Education, Labor, and Worker Justice at the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP)

Washington, D.C., March 31, 2025 – Last week, President Trump signed an executive order declaring an end to collective bargaining with federal labor unions for more than two dozen federal agencies. In addition to weakening the Federal Labor Relations Authority, this action would open federal workers to abuse and retaliation by abolishing union contracts. The order affects workers at over 30 agencies, including nurses and doctors at the Department of Veteran Affairs, researchers at the Environmental Protection Agency, and scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Under the false guise of “national security,” this executive order is retaliation against federal unions that have resisted the Trump Administration’s attacks. A fact sheet released by the White House claims “certain federal unions have declared war on President Trump’s agenda,” including the largest federal union, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). AFGE has successfully reversed the administration’s unlawful firing of thousands of probationary employees. Another case led by federal unions, including the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees and the American Federation of Teachers, successfully blocked access by Elon Musk’s DOGE to the sensitive Social Security data of millions of Americans. 

The Trump Administration is threatened by federal sector unions because they empower civil servants. Working people are protected by these unions, which safeguard their rights to free speech, preserve government functions, and protect whistleblowers when government actions violate the law or endanger the public.

CLASP recognizes this action as the gravest attack on workers in a generation. The Trump Administration will continue to attack all workers without further action, harming our democracy and rights as working people. We stand in solidarity with our union partners and urge members of Congress and federal judges to use their authority to protect federal workers.