Trump signs directive annulling union agreements initiated under Biden near ending
In a move that has sparked controversy, former President Donald Trump signed a memo on March 15, 2021, aimed at preventing authorities from agreeing to new collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) in the last days of a presidency and attempting to dissolve contracts seen as restrictive to his reelection.
The memo, which tasks agencies with unwinding CBAs signed since December 20, 2020, provides an interesting twist in the ongoing saga of union-agency relations during Trump's tenure. The memo seeks to undo contracts that Trump claims were designed to hamstring his return-to-office mandate.
One such contract is the one between the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), signed by then-SSA Commissioner Martin O'Malley in November 2020. This agreement, which locked in existing telework policies until 2029, has been a subject of criticism from Trump, Elon Musk, and congressional Republicans.
However, Everett Kelley, the National President of AFGE, dismissed Trump's memo as an effort to "frighten and confuse" federal workers. Kelley asserted that approved union contracts are enforceable by law, and the president does not have the authority to make unilateral changes to those agreements. He also promised that AFGE members will aggressively defend their contracts if they are violated.
The Education Department entered a new contract with AFGE effective Jan. 17, 2021. The agreement completed the agency head review process on the same date. This contract, like the one with SSA, is now under scrutiny due to Trump's memo.
In a letter to Kelley, House Oversight and Reform Committee Chairman James Comer requested information regarding all CBAs reached between the union and agencies since January 2021. Comer stated that CBAs entered into by the outgoing administration with AFGE should not undermine President Trump's ability to bring the federal workforce back to the office.
The controversy surrounding these CBAs is not new. In a move that effectively gave the group veto power over agency policy changes, the Trump administration signed a collective bargaining agreement with a union representing Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees. This agreement, like the ones with SSA and Education Department, is now under review due to Trump's memo.
As the situation unfolds, it is clear that the future of these CBAs and the role of unions in federal agencies is a topic of ongoing debate. The issue promises to be a significant one in the coming months as the Biden administration navigates the complexities of labour relations in the federal workforce.
Read also:
- Abu Dhabi initiative for comprehensive genetic screening, aiming to diagnose over 800 conditions and enhance the health of future generations in the UAE.
- Elderly shingles: Recognizing symptoms, potential problems, and available treatments
- Protecting Your Auditory Health: 6 Strategies to Minimize Noise Damage
- Exploring the Reasons, Purposes, and Enigmas of Hiccups: Delving into Their Origins, Roles, and Unsolved Aspects
