Labor Movement Applauds Senate Introduction of Protect America’s Workforce Act

As seen on AFLCIO.org

The AFL-CIO and affiliated unions representing federal workers applauded the introduction of the Protect America’s Workforce Act in the U.S. Senate today. The legislation would reverse two executive orders issued by President Trump and restore collective bargaining rights to federal workers.

Since Trump’s first executive order in March stripped nearly 1 million workers of their collective bargaining rights, the administration expanded the attack to include more federal agencies just before Labor Day. The administration also has begun implementing the orders by canceling the contracts of nearly 450,000 workers at the departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs and the Environmental Protection Agency.

“Donald Trump’s executive order launched the biggest act of union-busting in our history, ripping away collective bargaining rights from a million federal workers,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “In the months since, his administration has expanded that order and unilaterally canceled union contracts for nearly 450,000 workers. These moves are an assault on our fundamental freedoms and undercut critical services people across the country rely on.

“We commend Sens. Warner and Van Hollen, and Minority Leader Schumer for bringing the fight to overturn the Trump administration’s attack on workers to the Senate. Bipartisan momentum is already building in the House, where lawmakers are collecting the final signatures on a discharge petition to bring this bill to a vote. The labor movement looks forward to working with senators to stop the senseless assault on workers who provide essential government services to communities across America. The labor movement stands united behind this bill, and we call on every senator—Democrat, Republican and independent—to keep their promise to workers by backing this legislation.”  

The Protect America’s Workforce Act was introduced today by Sens. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Chris Van Hollen (Md.), and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). In the House, the bill was introduced by Reps. Jared Golden (ME-02) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), with 221 additional co-sponsors. Organizing by the labor movement and members of Congress is also driving up signatures on a discharge petition, which will soon reach the requisite 218 to send the bill straight to the House floor.