Featured Stories
Wichita nurses prepared for one-day strike for patient and staff safety
SILVER SPRING, Maryland, July 3 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
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Wichita nurses prepared for one-day strike for patient and staff safety
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Nurses at two Ascension hospitals in Wichita, Kan., are moving forward with their one-day strike on July 6 to protest hospital management's refusal to address RNs' deep concerns about safety at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis and Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph hospitals. Nurses at the facilities are represented by National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU), the country's
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SILVER SPRING, Maryland, July 3 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
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Wichita nurses prepared for one-day strike for patient and staff safety
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Nurses at two Ascension hospitals in Wichita, Kan., are moving forward with their one-day strike on July 6 to protest hospital management's refusal to address RNs' deep concerns about safety at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis and Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph hospitals. Nurses at the facilities are represented by National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU), the country'slargest nurses union.
"Since we formed our union, safety has been one of our top issues," said Courtney Callum, RN in the emergency department at St. Joseph. "It's unconscionable that Ascension waits for tragedies to occur before taking action. We're striking to show them that action needs to be taken to prevent workplace violence before it happens."
St. Francis
Where: On E. Murdock Ave. in front of the hospital
When: Picketing starts at 7 a.m., rally at 9 a.m. MORE INFO ON PICKET SHIFTS???
St. Joseph
Where: On E. Harry St. near the corner with S. Clifton Ave.
When: Picketing starts at 7 a.m., rally at 11 a.m.
"Nurses and our co-workers show up every day to take care of the people of Wichita," said Aaron Rauber, RN in the neurological critical care at St. Francis. "We need Ascension to get serious about our safety proposals in our contract so we can make sure everyone who walks through our doors, staff or patients, knows they're in a safe environment."
Nurses are also aware that Ascension management has announced a retaliatory lockout for striking nurses. Despite management's claims, nurses want to make clear: The only reason management won't allow striking nurses to return to the bedside alongside contractors is to punish the striking nurses. There is no reason striking nurses can't return to work the day after the strike except for management's decision-making.
RNs at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis and St. Joseph unionized in 2022 and 2023, and won a historic first contract in 2024. NNOC/NNU represents nearly 1,2000 nurses at St. Francis and St. Joseph hospitals.
National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.
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Original text here: https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/press/wichita-nurses-prepared-for-one-day-strike-for-patient-and-staff-safety
Nurses at HCA Swedish Medical Center join nation's largest nurses union
SILVER SPRING, Maryland, July 3 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
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Nurses at HCA Swedish Medical Center join nation's largest nurses union
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Registered nurses at HCA HealthONE Swedish (a.k.a., Swedish Medical Center) in Englewood, Colo., voted to join National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU), the country's largest nurses union, in an election held on July 1 and 2, 2026.
"This is a huge victory for the nurses at our hospital and across the HCA system nationwide," said Christina Michas, RN in the general rehabilitation
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SILVER SPRING, Maryland, July 3 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
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Nurses at HCA Swedish Medical Center join nation's largest nurses union
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Registered nurses at HCA HealthONE Swedish (a.k.a., Swedish Medical Center) in Englewood, Colo., voted to join National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU), the country's largest nurses union, in an election held on July 1 and 2, 2026.
"This is a huge victory for the nurses at our hospital and across the HCA system nationwide," said Christina Michas, RN in the general rehabilitationunit at Swedish. "We showed HCA that, even when they try to illegally interfere with our elections, nurses will hold them accountable and keep fighting until we win the union protections we need."
The second election comes after the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled that the employer, HCA Healthcare (the country's largest hospital system), illegally interfered with a previous union election held in 2024. That now-invalidated 2024 election was marred by illegal interference by the employer.
Nearly 800 nurses work at Swedish, and, since the first election, staff turnover at the facility has been so high that only about only one third of nurses who worked at the hospital in 2024 still work there today. Nurses at Swedish say the high turnover is emblematic of the issues they face at the facility and are excited to address those issues in bargaining.
With their election victory in hand, nurses would be able to start negotiations on their first union contract, which could address several of HCA's issues that are driving nurses away from the facility and endangering patients.
HCA has appealed the NLRB's ruling to hold a second election, the one now won by the nurses. This is another nasty attempt by HCA to trampling nurses' union rights. NNOC/NNU intends to standby nurses until the end.
NNOC/NNU now represents nearly 800 nurses at HCA HealthONE Swedish, a 504-bed Level 1 trauma center. CNA/NNOC/NNU already represents more than 10,000 HCA nurses at 19 facilities in seven states from coast to coast.
National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.
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Original text here: https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/press/nurses-at-hca-swedish-medical-center-join-nations-largest-nurses-union
Workers at Highline Warren Join Teamsters
WASHINGTON, July 2 [Category: Union] -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters posted the following news release:
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Workers at Highline Warren Join Teamsters
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Press Contact: Lena Melentijevic Phone: (347) 208-2279 Email: LMelentijevic@teamster.org
(GLEN DALE, W.Va.) - A group of 201 drivers and warehouse workers at Highline Warren in Glen Dale, W. Va., have voted to join Teamsters Local 697. The workers organized for higher wages, better benefits, and stronger workplace protections.
"We're proud to welcome these workers as the newest members of Teamsters Local 697," said Rick Bauer,
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WASHINGTON, July 2 [Category: Union] -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters posted the following news release:
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Workers at Highline Warren Join Teamsters
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Press Contact: Lena Melentijevic Phone: (347) 208-2279 Email: LMelentijevic@teamster.org
(GLEN DALE, W.Va.) - A group of 201 drivers and warehouse workers at Highline Warren in Glen Dale, W. Va., have voted to join Teamsters Local 697. The workers organized for higher wages, better benefits, and stronger workplace protections.
"We're proud to welcome these workers as the newest members of Teamsters Local 697," said Rick Bauer,President of Local 697. "They took a stand for the workplace standards they deserve, and we will continue fighting with them at the bargaining table to secure a strong first contract."
Workers at Highline Warren manufacture and distribute automotive maintenance and consumable products. The company distributes products for major brands including Kimberly-Clark, Philips 66, 3M, Chevron, and Shell Rotella.
"I know firsthand the difference unions can make, and I'm thrilled we were finally able to organize with a union as strong as the Teamsters," said Dorothy Cook, an 18-year worker at Highline Warren and member of Local 697. "As Teamsters, we will fight for the wages, benefits, and respect we deserve."
The Glen Dale facility is one of 12 Highline Warren distribution centers across the U.S. The organizing victory is the first Teamsters win at the company and establishes a strategic foothold in Highline Warren's national distribution network.
"The Teamsters are organizing warehouse and logistics everywhere, and West Virginia is no exception," said Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division. "Every organizing victory strengthens our union and expands our ability to take on corporate America."
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.
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Original text here: https://teamster.org/2026/07/workers-at-highline-warren-join-teamsters/
Labor Unions, Nonprofits, Cities, and Counties Seek Injunction to Stop Impending U.S. Department of Agriculture Reorganization
WASHINGTON, July 2 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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Labor Unions, Nonprofits, Cities, and Counties Seek Injunction to Stop Impending U.S. Department of Agriculture Reorganization
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Supplemental Complaint and Preliminary Injunction Motion Filed in Case Challenging Unlawful Reshaping of Government Targets "Reorganization" of USDA
San Francisco - A broad coalition of nationwide labor unions, non-profit organizations, and cities and counties from across the country moved for injunctive relief in their challenge
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 2 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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Labor Unions, Nonprofits, Cities, and Counties Seek Injunction to Stop Impending U.S. Department of Agriculture Reorganization
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Supplemental Complaint and Preliminary Injunction Motion Filed in Case Challenging Unlawful Reshaping of Government Targets "Reorganization" of USDA
San Francisco - A broad coalition of nationwide labor unions, non-profit organizations, and cities and counties from across the country moved for injunctive relief in their challengeto the massive Trump-Vance administration effort to unlawfully reorganize the federal government, reduce the government workforce, and harm the government's ability to deliver vital services to families across the country. This action is necessary to prevent mass staff departures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), represented by union plaintiffs American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), that would leave the department unable to fulfill its essential functions.
The plaintiffs in AFGE v. Trump are challenging the Trump-Vance administration's unlawful reorganization of the federal government without legislative authority. The coalition fighting against unlawful government reorganization plans includes AFGE and four AFGE locals; AFSCME; Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and SEIU Local 1000; Alliance for Retired Americans; American Geophysical Union; American Public Health Association; Center for Taxpayer Rights; Coalition to Protect America's National Parks; Common Defense; Main Street Alliance; NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council); Northeast Organic Farming Association Inc.; VoteVets; Western Watersheds Project; City and County of San Francisco, California; County of Santa Clara, California; City of Chicago, Illinois; City of Baltimore, Maryland; Harris County, Texas; and King County, Washington.
The filing in AFGE v. Trump draws attention to recently-implemented actions to disrupt USDA by forcing office relocations and mass resignations at the department. Reflecting the massive impact of these plans on communities across the country, this filing adds a trio of plaintiffs that will be directly and irreparably harmed by the unlawful USDA reorganization, including the National WIC Association (NWA), a membership organization that represents more than 10,000 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) professionals nationwide, including staff at state, tribal, and local WIC agencies, as well as WIC clinic staff; Prince George's County, Maryland, which is home to the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center; and the Alliance of Crop, Soil and Environmental Science Societies (the Alliance), a nonprofit organization that manages and supports three membership associations: the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, whose approximately 7,500 members includes USDA employees. The coalition is represented in the case by lead co-counsel Democracy Forward and Altshuler Berzon LLP, along with Protect Democracy, Public Rights Project, and Democracy Defenders Fund, and counsel for local governments.
"WIC is one of the most effective public health programs in the United States. For over 50 years, WIC has helped reduce infant mortality, improve maternal health, and ensure that low-income moms, babies, and young children have access to nutrition support during the most critical stages of development," said Georgia Machell, President & CEO of NWA. "But WIC only works because of the close partnership between state and local WIC providers and USDA's federal staff at the national and regional levels. A reorganization that reduces or disrupts federal expertise would not increase efficiency, responsiveness, or service quality; instead, it would directly weaken the systems families rely on to access care, nutrition, breastfeeding support, and trusted guidance. The administration must not be allowed to move forward with a plan that will decimate the federal staff and infrastructure that makes WIC work for millions of families across the country."
"Prince George's County has been the proud home of the USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) for over 115 years," said Prince George's County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy. "BARC has produced innovative and groundbreaking research that has greatly improved food safety, human nutrition and livestock genetics. A significant portion of Prince George's County's economy has developed around BARC and we believe that approximately 1,000 jobs at BARC and in the surrounding community would be lost with BARC's permanent closure. BARC is critically important to Prince George's County's Economy. BARC is a pillar of our community that promotes jobs, innovation and opportunity within the agriculture industry. We believe that the Trump Administration's attempt to permanently shut down BARC and relocate its staff outside of Prince George's County is unlawful and we are joining this lawsuit to protect our economy, County residents that work in and around BARC, and the important research that is conducted in our County."
" USDA employees keep our food safe, stand behind our farmers, make sure our children are fed, and keep thousands of American businesses running. They live and work in communities all across this country. This administration keeps showing it won ' t look out for Americans, pushing an unlawful reorganization of USDA that would gut the workforce our country depends on," said AFGE National President Everett Kelley. "AFGE is proud that these public servants have a collective voice through AFGE, and we are proud to help lead the fight to stop this unlawful reorganization. No administration gets to break the law to dismantle an agency that feeds this nation. "
"From helping our farmers get their products to market, to assisting with farm loans and providing infrastructure improvements in rural communities, to protecting American agricultural exports through the Foreign Agricultural Service, the AFSCME members targeted by this 'reorganization' provide essential services that strengthen rural communities and support America's food supply," said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. "This administration is trying to gut the agency that helps farmers stay in business and puts food on working families' tables so it can hand out even more tax cuts to billionaires. We will continue fighting for these public service workers and the farmers, families, and communities across the country who rely on the services they provide every day."
Earlier this year, USDA began taking action to implement a Reorganization Plan that would restructure and downsize the agency across many different issue areas and sub-agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, the Food and Nutrition Administration, Agricultural Research Service, Economic Research Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Farm Production and Conservation mission area (which include the Farm Service Agency, Risk Management Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service), Rural Development mission area, and the Foreign Agricultural Service.
USDA sought authorization for the actions in this Reorganization Plan through the budget process for Fiscal Year 2026. However, Congress not only rejected this process, but additionally specifically directed USDA not to take actions restructuring the agency or downsizing staff without further congressional approval. USDA has not obtained such approval. Still, USDA officials are continuing to push forward with an unlawful Reorganization Plan, implementing actions that have harmed and will continue to harm USDA employees impacted by the restructuring and the farmers, families, and communities who rely on them to execute USDA's mission.
"The Trump Administration's unlawful government reorganization is part of their ongoing war on science. It undercuts the essential science undertaken by many of the Agencies to better understand and protect America's unique natural history and resources. Some of my colleagues provided the court with clear examples of how these moves stifle essential research in forestry and soil science, illustrating the wide and damaging impacts these cuts would have if allowed to move forward," said Garett Rose, senior attorney at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council).
"The government workers threatened by the Trump Administration are essential to so many of the programs and policies that fight chronic food insecurity, manage environmental challenges, and otherwise promote the well-being of all Baltimoreans. Gutting the organizations that manage our social safety net will do nothing but create more economic precarity and vulnerability all across the country. Baltimore stands with Democracy Forward, labor unions, and local governments to challenge the President's continued lawlessness," said Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott.
"Government workers reflect the spirit of service our nation is built on, and a lifeline for families in need. Trump's pernicious attempts to restructure and push specially trained and certified government employees out of an agency-that in our County alone, serves tens of thousands of mothers and children annually-would have serious consequences for vulnerable families across the country. My office stands alongside Democracy Forward, our labor unions, and local governments across the country in asking the court to block this action," said Harris County Attorney Abbie Kamin.
This is the second supplement to the original complaint filed in 2025. On January 28, 2026, the coalition filed a supplemental complaint challenging the unlawful and drastic reduction of staff at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), leaving the agency unable to adequately prepare for or respond to natural disasters and other emergencies, placing lives and property at risk and undermining the very purpose for which Congress created the agency. After the coalition filed that supplemental complaint, FEMA offered jobs to employees who had been terminated and ceased additional terminations, so the court determined that injunctive relief is unnecessary at this time. But the court has set the claims against FEMA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for expedited summary judgment briefing.
"We thank all of our plaintiffs for showing how this administration's thoughtless and cruel changes at USDA will have a real and lasting impact on communities across America. By forcing countless employees to relocate across the country for no good reason, the administration is crippling USDA's ability to do its vital work. More than 40 percent of infants in the country get fed through WIC. As this supplemental complaint shows, USDA's 'reorganization' will put them at risk of going hungry. The closure of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center will mean more disruption in food production and security. These actions are not just heartless, but also clearly unlawful and Democracy Forward is honored to work with this growing coalition to stop harmful efforts to prevent civil servants from doing their jobs," said Elena Goldstein, Legal Director at Democracy Forward.
Corinne Johnson, Altshuler Berzon partner said: "The actions of this Administration to reorganize USDA are a ruse for forcing employees to quit because they work on programs - like feeding low-income women and children, protecting our forests, or scientific research- that this Administration opposes for political reasons. That is unlawful. Congress, not the President, still determines the mission and functions of federal agencies created by statute, and Congress has repeatedly drawn the line to say no to workforce reductions. On behalf of our clients, we will continue to ask the courts to hold that line."
"Congress created federal agencies to serve the interests of the American people - not of one man," said Jules Torti, Counsel at Protect Democracy. "The President simply does not have the authority to unilaterally reorganize and change our government without Congress's involvement.
"This administration cannot keep sidestepping Congress to reshape the government on its own. Cities and counties rely on USDA to help feed families, support farmers, and respond to environmental challenges. When that support is disrupted, communities bear the consequences," said Jonathan Miller, Chief Program Officer at Public Rights Project.
"Millions of families across the country rely on the essential services provided by hardworking USDA employees," said Amb. Norm Eisen (ret.), co-founder and executive chair of Democracy Defenders Fund. "By gutting this department, the administration is threatening programs that help children eat, small farms survive, and communities function. We're going to court because these mass layoffs would leave more families without the support they need."
The legal team at Democracy Forward working on the matter includes Andrea Matthews, Tsuki Hoshijima, Gregory Cumming, and Elena Goldstein.
For more on this case, please click here.
To read the filed supplemental complaint, please click here, and to read the memorandum in support of preliminary injunction, please click here.
For more resources for civil servants facing retaliatory dismissal, please visit civilservicestrong.org.
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Democracy Forward Foundation is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.
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Original text here: https://www.afge.org/link/7d1a9ea8f51f49508c4d14d66f39bc5a.aspx
Baltimore nurses to hold one-day strike for patient safety and staff retention
SILVER SPRING, Maryland, July 2 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
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Baltimore nurses to hold one-day strike for patient safety and staff retention
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Registered nurses at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, Md., will hold a one-day strike on Monday, July 6, to protest the administration's refusal to address RNs' deep concerns about patient safety and staff retention, announced National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU) today. The nurses will be joined by U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume at their morning rally.
Management
... Show Full Article
SILVER SPRING, Maryland, July 2 [Category: Union] -- National Nurses United issued the following news release:
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Baltimore nurses to hold one-day strike for patient safety and staff retention
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Registered nurses at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, Md., will hold a one-day strike on Monday, July 6, to protest the administration's refusal to address RNs' deep concerns about patient safety and staff retention, announced National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU) today. The nurses will be joined by U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume at their morning rally.
Managementhas cut staff hours, impeding nurses' ability to provide optimal patient care. While Ascension reported over $900 million in net profit in the last fiscal year, management has told nurses that cuts to their hours are part of a push for increased "productivity." To cover gaps in staffing, management is engaging in unsafe floating practices,including floating nurses who usually work in the medical/surgical units to work in postpartum and pediatric units when they are not trained to care for babies, children, or new parents.
"Staffing is the No. 1 issue that our coworkers bring to us nurses on the bargaining team. When we have too many patients, we can't provide the care we were trained to give," said Gideon Eziama, RN in the cardiovascular telemetry unit. "The hospital's stubborn refusal to improve staffing in our contract is troubling. They should put patients over profits and agree to a fair contract now."
Who: Registered nurses at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital
What: One-day strike for patient safety and a fair contract
When: Monday, July 6, 7 a.m. to Tuesday, July 7, 6:59 a.m.
Rally at 9:00 a.m. with U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume
Where: Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital, 900 S. Caton Ave., Baltimore, Md., on the corner of the main Caton Ave. entrance into the hospital by the "Ascension" sign.
This strike follows Saint Agnes nurses' very first strike in July 2025. The hospital has refused to agree to a fair contract that addresses nurses patient safety concerns. Nurses have given advance notice to the hospital for their upcoming strike.
Saint Agnes nurses have been in negotiations since January 2024 for a first contract with little to no movement on key issues. The RNs urge management to invest in nursing staff and agree to a contract that provides:
* Safe staffing
* Retention of experienced RNs to provide safe patient care
* Limitations to floating assignments based on patient safety
"Floating limitations are incredibly important and incredibly serious. In the postpartum unit this week, we were staffed by nurses from medical-surgical units without the specialization needed to care for babies in their most vulnerable moments," said Kathryn Blackburn, RN in the labor delivery unit at Saint Agnes. "We have excellent, qualified nurses, but by trying to save pennies by shifting people around, Ascension does our patients a disservice. We are fighting for common-sense provisions in our contract, and the hospital will only benefit by agreeing to floating protections."
National Nurses Organizing Committee represents more than 600 nurses at Ascension St Agnes.
National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.
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Original text here: https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/press/baltimore-nurses-to-hold-one-day-strike-for-patient-safety-and-staff-retention
AFGE and NFFE Affiliates Sue Defense Department Over Illegal Termination of Employees' Union Rights
WASHINGTON, July 2 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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AFGE and NFFE Affiliates Sue Defense Department Over Illegal Termination of Employees' Union Rights
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New lawsuit argues Secretary Hegseth's move to terminate collective bargaining agreements makes America less safe
WASHINGTON - Today, more than 20 union affiliates of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland against
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 2 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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AFGE and NFFE Affiliates Sue Defense Department Over Illegal Termination of Employees' Union Rights
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New lawsuit argues Secretary Hegseth's move to terminate collective bargaining agreements makes America less safe
WASHINGTON - Today, more than 20 union affiliates of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland againstthe Department of Defense over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's unlawful memorandum directing the termination of hundreds of union contracts throughout the nation.
In the lawsuit, the unions argue that Hegseth's actions, carried out through an April 9, 2026 memo, violated the Administrative Procedure Act in multiple ways. In particular, the memo and the contract terminations that followed were not based on reasoned decision making required by law and misinterpreted the executive order they were purportedly based on. As a result of Hegseth's actions, tens of thousands of hardworking federal employees, many of whom are veterans and members of military families, lost union rights they have had for decades.
"The Department of Defense's termination of AFGE contracts, carried out under Pete Hegseth's unlawful directive, is an insult to the hardworking men and women who serve our military. I am proud to stand with AFGE's affiliates fighting for their rights. In many cases, the affiliates have had contracts in place for more than fifty years before they were unlawfully terminated," said AFGE National President Everett Kelley. "As we celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary, we should not be attacking those who help us protect our freedoms. In attacking DoD civilian employees, the administration is attacking veterans, military families, and the workers our warfighters rely on every day. This not only makes America less safe, it is antithetical to our values as a nation."
"For decades, workers at the Department of Defense have had the right to unionize, and employees exercising that right has never been detrimental to U.S. national security," said NFFE National President Randy Erwin. "The Trump administration unilaterally and illegally stripping collective bargaining rights from DoD workers only serves to weaken morale, harm recruitment and retention, and reduce accountability - jeopardizing our national security and the critical mission of the agency. NFFE locals are proud to join their AFGE brothers and sisters in challenging the cancellation of their collective bargaining agreements and we are confident the rule of law will prevail."
The plaintiffs in this case are represented by Altshuler Berzon LLP and Brown, Goldstein & Levy, LLP.
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Original text here: https://www.afge.org/link/2b74eecb35184b80a805b978f58defa3.aspx
AFGE Urges Congress to Prevent Dangerous Bureau of Prisons Closures
WASHINGTON, July 2 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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AFGE Urges Congress to Prevent Dangerous Bureau of Prisons Closures
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Planned closure of six BOP facilities will endanger communities and strain workforce that's already stretched thin, union leaders say
WASHINGTON - The American Federation of Government Employees is calling on Congress to intervene to prevent the Bureau of Prisons from closing six federal correctional institutions.
On Wednesday, BOP announced plans to close the following institutions:
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 2 [Category: Union] -- The AFL-CIO American Federation of Government Employees issued the following news release:
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AFGE Urges Congress to Prevent Dangerous Bureau of Prisons Closures
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Planned closure of six BOP facilities will endanger communities and strain workforce that's already stretched thin, union leaders say
WASHINGTON - The American Federation of Government Employees is calling on Congress to intervene to prevent the Bureau of Prisons from closing six federal correctional institutions.
On Wednesday, BOP announced plans to close the following institutions:Beaumont FCI Low (Texas); Big Spring FCI and Satellite Camp (Texas); La Tuna FCI, FSL, and Satellite Camp (Texas); Lexington FMC Satellite Camp (Kentucky); Petersburg FCI Low (Virginia); and Taft FCI (California).
While the bureau is citing staffing shortages and deteriorating infrastructure as the reasons for these closures, Congress already has provided BOP with about $3 billion for personnel and $2 billion for infrastructure through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to address those exact challenges, AFGE National President Everett Kelley said in a July 2 letter to members of Congress.
"Those investments should be used to strengthen the federal prison system, not dismantle it," Kelley wrote. "Closing these facilities will make communities less safe, place greater strain on already overworked correctional staff, reduce the Bureau's operational capacity, and eliminate federal jobs that support families and local economies. It also abandons communities that have long partnered with the federal government to fulfill an essential public safety mission."
Closing the facilities will affect about 500employees - mostly at Big Spring and La Tuna - exacerbating staffing shortages that have resulted in overcrowded facilities. More than 1,400 BOP staff left the agency last year - many for Immigration and Customs Enforcement due to the higher salaries and signing bonuses being offered by that agency.
"I am deeply concerned by the Bureau of Prisons' decision to close multiple federal correctional facilities so soon after Congress approved nearly $5 billion for the Bureau through the One Big Beautiful Bill," AFGE Council of Prison Locals National President Brandy Moore White said.
"The Council of Prison Locals worked diligently with lawmakers to secure this historic investment to address chronic staffing shortages, modernize aging infrastructure, and strengthen the Bureau's mission-not reduce its footprint or displace dedicated correctional professionals. We urge the Bureau to provide full transparency regarding how these decisions were reached," she said.
AFGE urges Congress to exercise its oversight authority and require BOP to suspend these closures so the funding that has been appropriated can be used to improve staffing and working conditions as lawmakers intended.
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Original text here: https://www.afge.org/link/e1328b028ec14e3da385378ebc99b711.aspx
