Trump Strips Collective Bargaining Rights From One Million Federal Workers

President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders in August 2025 stripping collective bargaining rights from approximately one million federal employees. The actions followed a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that lifted injunctions blocking a March directive targeting agencies with national security, intelligence, or investigative functions. The administration expanded these restrictions across nearly two dozen agencies, including NASA, the National Weather Service, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The Department of Veterans Affairs saw the largest impact, with roughly 395,000 workers losing protections. Secretary Doug Collins stated the move allows the agency to hold poor performers accountable and redirect resources toward veteran care. The Department of Agriculture also terminated contracts for thousands of food and animal health inspectors, which the agency claimed would make it a more nimble employer.

Labor leaders, including the American Federation of Government Employees and the AFL-CIO, have characterized the move as the largest act of union busting in U.S. history. They argue the national security justification is a pretext for retaliation against civil servants who opposed administration policies. Beyond the executive orders, the administration fired the chair and general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board, leaving the agency without a quorum to resolve labor disputes.

In response, federal unions have filed over a dozen lawsuits and supported the Protect America’s Workforce Act in Congress. While some lower courts granted limited injunctions, appellate courts have largely upheld the administration's authority to eliminate these agreements.