The Department of Justice initiated legal action against affiliates of the American Federation of Government Employees by filing a lawsuit in the Western District of Texas. This action involves eight federal agencies seeking to address concerns about national security.
The move follows an Executive Order issued by the President titled "Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs." The order highlighted the President's stance that certain federal agencies involved in investigative and national security tasks should not be compelled to engage in collective bargaining to uphold national security interests.
The agencies involved in the lawsuit aim to void existing collective bargaining agreements with affiliates of the union, known as locals, councils, and Division 10 of the American Federation of Government Employees. These agencies assert that the current agreements hinder their ability to implement workforce policies vital to their national security roles. The lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgment to affirm their legal right to terminate these agreements, aiming to avert potential labor disputes and ensure clarity in legal standing.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi commented on the lawsuit, stating, "We are taking this fight directly to the public-sector unions." She emphasized the proactive stance of the lawsuit in safeguarding "President Trump’s efforts to ensure unions no longer interfere in the national security functions of the government."
The litigation argues that the administration's operations should not be blocked by agreements that "micromanage oversight of the federal workforce and impede performance accountability." It highlights the challenge to the President and senior executive officials in managing national security missions, noting that they "cannot effectively execute the laws or promote national security if his supervision of agents engaged in national security, intelligence, counterintelligence, or investigative missions is stymied by intrusive bargaining agreements and continuous bargaining obligations."