Senators Challenge Administration on Failure to Follow Court Order

A few weeks back, NTEU and other federal labor unions won an historic victory and injunction against the anti-employee executive orders (EOs) issued by President Trump. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson enjoined “the President’s subordinates from implementing or giving effect to” the overturned portions of the EOs. Agencies, however, have continued to give force and effect to struck-down provisions of these EOs at the bargaining table and in other fora.

On Thursday, sixteen Senators sent this letter to Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Acting Director Margaret Weichert requesting information about OPM’s actions to ensure that agencies comply with the U.S. District Court’s August 25th decision regarding the May 25th Executive Orders which strip key collective bargaining and due process rights from federal workers.

The letter also requests the status of any updated guidance for agencies to comply with the court order and oversight of agency actions to ensure compliance with the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. Led by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), the following Senators signed the letter: Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Tom Udall (D-NM), Edward Markey (D-MA), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Patty Murray (D-WA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Mark Warner (D-VA).

NTEU is deeply grateful for the support of these Senators for their commitment to preserving collective bargaining and protecting federal workers.