- United States
- Utah
- Letter
The president's executive order undermining federal worker unions and collective bargaining rights in agencies with national security missions is deeply concerning. Unions play a vital role in protecting worker rights, ensuring fair treatment, and maintaining accountability within government institutions. This order threatens to dismantle vital checks and balances, enabling unchecked overreach by management that could jeopardize national security itself through poor morale, lack of oversight, and impaired operations. The ability to collectively bargain is a fundamental right that has been hard-won over decades of labor struggles. Stripping this right from dedicated federal employees who serve in crucial roles is an attack on workers and democratic principles. Many of the affected agencies like the VA, DHS, and CDC have been on the frontlines protecting our nation – their voices and input should be valued, not silenced. Federal unions are not obstructionists, but partners working to uphold high standards of integrity and effectiveness within the civil service. They help create workplaces conducive to recruiting and retaining top talent to carry out agencies' invaluable missions. Robust labor-management relations facilitate transparency, collaboration, and accountability. I urge you to stand against this executive order and any efforts to weaken federal worker protections and representation. Our national security relies on a professional, empowered federal workforce able to carry out their duties free from undue political interference or retaliation. Protecting their rights is protecting America.