House Approves Measure to Reinstate Bargaining Rights for Federal Employees

In a notable bipartisan effort, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protect America’s Workforce Act with a vote of 231-195, aiming to restore collective bargaining rights for federal employees. This legislation seeks to overturn an executive order signed by President Donald Trump earlier this year that limited union rights for around 600,000 federal workers, particularly affecting agencies involved in national security such as the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense. Critics labeled the order an attack on workers’ rights and disputed its legal validity.

The passage followed a bipartisan discharge petition spearheaded by Representative Jared Golden of Maine, highlighting frustration within the House regarding internal dysfunction. Notably, 20 Republicans joined Democrats to support the bill, indicating a rare collaborative effort on labor rights issues. Proponents of the bill asserted the necessity of reinstating workers’ rights, with Republican co-sponsor Representative Brian Fitzpatrick emphasizing that doing so demonstrates a commitment to honoring federal workers.

Organizations like the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the AFL-CIO lauded the House’s decision. AFGE President Everett Kelley termed the vote a “seismic victory,” while AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler praised the joint effort of both parties in reversing the executive order.

However, the bill faces an uncertain future in the Republican-controlled Senate, and the White House has yet to comment. Still, the House’s action acts as a significant rebuke of the current administration’s labor policies, reinforcing the ongoing discussion about federal workers’ rights. This development marks a pivotal moment in the broader narrative surrounding labor rights in the U.S. federal sector.