Join NTEU NTEU Action

Home NTEU e-Bulletin

NTEU e-Bulletin

NTEU Union Rights Case Heard in Court Monday

The president’s executive order canceling union rights for employees across two-thirds of the federal government was debated in court Monday where NTEU lawyers led the fight to protect employees’ ability to bargain collectively in the federal workplace.

Calling the March 27 executive order “sweeping and unprecedented in scope,” NTEU’s General Counsel Paras Shah urged the panel of three federal appellate judges to restore full union rights while we await a lower court decision on whether the order itself is unlawful.

NTEU-represented employees at 12 federal agencies were impacted when President Trump upended decades of precedence and declared they couldn’t be in a union because they perform primarily national security work. 

NTEU’s lawsuit makes clear that such a broad ban directly conflicts with the law that Congress passed in 1978 specifically to facilitate and strengthen collective bargaining for federal employees.

For additional information about NTEU’s legal arguments and a history of the case, see NTEU’s brief in the case.

President’s Management Agenda Calls for Smaller Workforce

The administration released the President’s Management Agenda last week, formalizing its goals to shrink the federal workforce and diminish employee unions.

The unusually brief one-page agenda outlines multiple policies that are harmful to frontline federal employees, and their right to bargain collectively and be represented by a union. Federal employees are familiar with the agenda’s objectives because they are contained in current executive orders, many of which are anti-worker and anti-union.

The agenda also misleadingly claims to support hiring employees based on skill and merit, but clearly the administration continues to pursue changes that would diminish merit-based hiring principles and open the door to political favoritism and patronage.

NTEU members can read more about the threats to the merit-based civil service.

House Committee Approves Anti-Employee Legislation

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee approved legislation to extend employee probationary periods and require an annual detailed report on the use of official time. Both bills passed on a party line vote. NTEU strongly opposes both bills.

The Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act of 2025, or the EQUALS Act of 2025, H.R. 5750, would drastically extend the probationary period for most federal employees from one year to two years following the completion of formal training and would require an agency to certify that the employee should remain on the job at the end of the probationary period in order to avoid automatic removal from their position.

The Official Time Reporting Act, H.R. 5749, would mandate an annual report on the use of the time NTEU leaders utilize to represent employees and help resolve workplace issues. NTEU is concerned that the administration would use this report to degrade the work of unions and our members. 

Urge your members of Congress to oppose anti-employee and anti-union legislation so that federal workers can continue to serve the American people without fear of retaliatory action. Tell your family and friends to join us.

FEEA is Now Accepting 2026 Scholarship Applications

It’s that time of year again! The Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA) is now accepting applications for its 2026-2027 scholarship program.

Now through March 12, current civilian federal and postal employees with at least three years of service can apply for merit-based scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Spouses and children of federal employees may also apply.

NTEU is a founding member of FEEA and is proud to support this charity dedicated solely to serving federal workers and their families. Learn more and apply today.

NTEU members are also invited to join the Scholarship Selection Committee to assist in the selection process of merit-based scholarships to deserving students. Learn more about this opportunity.

CFPB Members, Allies Rally for Consumer Protection

ebulletin12-16-25

Members of NTEU Chapter 335 (CFPB) and allies rallied outside of the CFPB headquarters last week in Washington, D.C. During the rally, chapter leaders and members spoke about the important work CFPB does for American consumers. 

Happening at NTEU  

  • Sound off on your workplace experience! Take the Public Service Viewpoint Survey by Dec. 19.

  • Tomorrow, NTEU will host its final virtual town hall of the year. If you haven’t done so already, please register here. We look forward to seeing you.

  • Know a colleague who goes above and beyond in their work? Nominate them for a 2026 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals, better known as the SAMMIES, by submitting the online nomination form. Nominations close Wednesday, Dec. 31. 

  • Join our social media community! Follow us for breaking news and updates on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and X.

  • Stay safe! Social media platforms like Reddit and Substack can often have misleading or even false information. Always trust the news that comes directly from NTEU.