Unions Under Attack: New Legislation Would Protect Federal Workers

APRIL 14 -- Two Congressmen from opposite sides of the aisle – Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Jared Golden (D-ME) have  introduced a bill that would nullify President Trump’s March 27 Executive Order ending collective bargaining rights for most federal employees.

The bill, HR 2550 was introduced on April 1 and referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. It is co-sponsored by Democratic Reps. Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Debbie Dingell (MI-06), and Republican Reps. Nick LaLota (NY-01), Mike Turner (OH-10) and Mike Lawler (NY-17). Co-Sponsor Brian Fitzpatrick said, “Improving government efficiency is essential – but sweeping exclusions from collective bargaining are a blunt instrument that risk weakening the very stability and performance we aim to strengthen.”

The move to restore collective bargaining rights – currently also playing out in the courts – was welcomed by unions representing federal employees. Matt Biggs, President of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, said, “This illegal attack on collective bargaining rights by the Trump Administration will do great harm to the efficient operations of our federal government, including to our national security. IFPTE applauds and thanks Representatives Fitzpatrick and Golden for crafting and introducing this bill and urges Congress to find a way to pass it.”

At the same time, Rep. Fitzpatrick led a Republican letter to President Trump requesting that he “reconsider these Executive Orders and restore collective bargaining rights to federal agencies where bargaining would not genuinely impair national security interests.” You can read the letter here.

Among the signatories is Congressman Mike Lawler (R-Hudson Valley) whose district includes the Metro North commuter railway which is in part represented by TWU members.