Unions of federal workers battle for their existence amid Trump's attempts to dismantle them comprehensively
In Spring 2025, Anthony Lee, unexpectedly found himself amidst a chaotic maelstrom at the Food and Drug Administration. Instead of a heads-up, the union leader got swamped with panicked calls early one morning—employees receiving a red light as they swiped their badges, signaling their termination.
"It was a cruel way for dozens, hundreds of employees to learn they were losing their federal jobs," Lee shares. As president of NTEU Chapter 282, the union representing close to 9,000 FDA employees, Lee felt betrayed by the Trump administration's failure to provide advance notice, as required by their collective bargaining agreement.
President Trump's antipathy towards federal sector unions is notorious. Yet, Lee insists that hostility has intensified significantly during Trump's second term. "The very existence of unions in the federal workplace is under threat," Lee remarks.
Trump's efforts to reduce the federal workforce by hundreds of thousands could cripple union bargaining units. Moreover, Trump has moved to end union representation for a broad spectrum of the workforce. In a controversial decision, Trump issued an executive order that essentially revoked collective bargaining rights for most federal workers—a move challenged by multiple lawsuits.
The order targets agencies that predominantly focus on national security and has consequences for various departments like the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the FDA. Currently, a federal judge has issued an injunction, temporarily halting the order, but the administration has appealed the decision.
Some argue that collective bargaining functions as a check on presidential power, ensuring that a president can't exploit the government's resources without restrictions. The binding agreements between unions and federal agencies encompass personnel matters like working conditions, performance reviews, and grievance procedures. These agreements, in essence, reshape the President's power to manage the federal bureaucracy, ensuring a balance of power.
Despite not having the right to strike or negotiate over wages, federal workers have gained significant leverage since the early 1960s. In the face of a labor crisis, the federal government offered job security, protections, and the right to unionize, attracting skilled workers who might have been hard to recruit otherwise.
Now, the Trump administration argues that labor rights established in 1978 make federal workers unaccountable. Nevertheless, Lee fears for the future, particularly concerning scientists who could be exposed to political pressure under the proposed changes. Scientists reviewing food ingredients, drugs, and medical devices currently have the right to flag safety or efficacy concerns without fear of reprisal.
One frequent complaint of the administration is that unions make it hard to remove poor performers, as many union contracts specify lengthy processes for doing so. However, others argue that unions contribute to the smooth operation of the government.
In summary, while the Trump administration seeks to curtail collective bargaining for federal workers, unions and their supporters contend that these protections are essential for a fair and accountable federal workforce. The judicial system has temporarily halted the administration's efforts, but the legal struggle is ongoing.
[1] https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/union-members-plaintiffs-challenging-trump-law-ask-supreme-court-to-block-executive-order[2] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/us/trump-executive-order-unions-collective-bargaining.html[3] https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/03/trumps-union-busting-move-you-need-to-know/606896/[5] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/04/30/trump-unions-ban-appears-temporarily-halted-federal-judge/
- The government's policy-and-legislation on collective bargaining is a topic of intense debate in the general-news, with President Trump's executive order revoking collective bargaining rights for most federal workers causing controversy.
- The environment surrounding federal unions has become increasingly hostile under the Trump administration, with the president's antipathy towards these unions evident in his efforts to reduce the federal workforce and end union representation.
- In the workplace-wellness and health-and-wellness sectors, unions play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of operations, as seen in the Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Veterans Affairs.
- The science community is keenly aware of the potential impact of the current policy-and-legislation on their field, as the proposed changes could expose scientists to political pressure and potentially compromise the integrity of their work, such as the review of food ingredients, drugs, and medical devices.
