Golden, Jeffries join federal unions in urging Congress to force vote to overturn Trump’s anti-union executive order

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today was joined by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and other federal union leaders and Members of Congress to push for a vote on H.R. 2550, the Protect America’s Workforce Act of 2025. 

(VIDEO: Watch the press conference)

The bill, sponsored by Golden, would nullify President Trump’s March 27 Executive Order ending collective bargaining rights for roughly 1 million unionized federal employees across several agencies. Golden is spearheading a discharge petition for the bill, which allows a majority of the House to force an up-or-down vote on a piece of legislation if a majority of members of Congress sign on. 

Since Golden introduced the bipartisan bill in April, it has garnered bipartisan support from 222 members of Congress — including seven Republicans — exceeding the threshold necessary to pass the bill if it were brought to the floor for a vote. To date, the GOP majority has made no effort to call the vote. 

“I know that everyone who cosponsored this legislation, no matter their party, did so because they know workers' rights are worth defending,” Golden said. “They know that when workers collectively bargain, the result is a fairer workplace with dignity and respect. They know the president’s executive order undermines core American values and leaves workers open to unfair treatment and political interference. I’m standing with my colleagues and union leaders representing hundreds of thousands of workers to deliver a simple message: It's time to let us vote.”

“In this country, when you work hard and play by the rules, you should be able to have a good-paying job, good housing, good healthcare, a good education for your children and a good retirement. That's the American dream. No one has done more to deliver that American dream than organized labor. But organized labor is facing an unprecedented assault right now as a result of Donald Trump and his administration targeting unions and federal government employees. This legislation should be fully aired in a debate on the Floor of the House of Representatives and must pass to protect the right to organize,” Leader Jeffries said. “I'm thankful for the incredible leadership of Congressman Jared Golden, who fights hard for the people of the great state of Maine, everyday Americans and the union movement all across the country.”

"President Trump's executive order launched the single biggest act of union-busting in our history, ripping the right to collectively bargain away from hundreds of thousands of federal workers and endangering the contracts of millions more,” Shuler said. “We already have the votes in Congress to overturn that order with the Protect America’s Workforce Act: simple bipartisan legislation that restores the rights of those who care for our veterans, ensure our food is safe to eat, and protect our health and safety on the job. Today, we’re calling on every House member to stand with working people by bringing legislation to the floor for a vote.”

Background:

President Trump’s March 27 Executive Order, “Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs,” sought to end collective bargaining with unions at the departments of Defense, State, Veterans Affairs, Justice and Energy, and some workers at the departments of Homeland Security, Treasury, Health and Human Services, Interior and Agriculture. 

The Protect America’s Workforce Act would repeal the executive order outright, and guarantee that the federal government honors any union contract in place at the time of the executive order.

Federal workers’ bargaining rights are already limited. Unlike private-sector unions, federal employees cannot bargain collectively over wages, benefits or classifications, nor can they strike under existing law. Their bargaining rights are limited to conditions of employment. Roughly one-third of all federal workers in unions are veterans.

What They’re Saying:

Grant Provost, Vice President, Maine AFL-CIO, and Business Agent, Ironworkers Local 7:“With this legislation, Congressman Golden shows his firm commitment to ensuring that federal employees across the nation have the legal authority to organize and bargain collectively — protecting not only their interests, but the integrity and efficiency of government operations. In essence, strong collective bargaining protections align with democratic values, strengthen trust in public institutions, and enhance government performance for the benefit of all Americans.”

Alana Schaeffer, President, Portsmouth Metal Trades Union:“Congress approved the right for federal workers to collectively bargain more than 60 years ago. As the elected representative of approximately 3,600 federal blue-collar workers at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, I know firsthand how important that right has been. The Protect America’s Workforce Act reaffirms the essential role federal unions have played for decades: fostering safe, stable, and accountable workplaces that are vital not just to worker wellbeing, but to national security itself.”

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Co-Chair, Congressional Labor Caucus: “Federal employees are absolutely essential to keeping our country safe and strong. Congress granted collective bargaining rights for federal employees decades ago, and they have been upheld for years by the administrations of both parties. Now more than a million workers have had those rights taken away. We agree on a bipartisan basis that we must reject any attempt to roll back federal employees’ rights to collectively bargain. I’m calling on all my Republican colleagues to join us now to protect workers across America.”

Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35), Chair, Congressional Progressive Caucus: “Whether you identify as a progressive or a conservative, collective bargaining protects you and your family. A majority of members of the House of Representatives say they support restoring these rights. Now the question is: Will our Republican colleagues actually stand with working people and make these rights a reality again?”

AFGE National President Everett Kelley: “Federal workers, nearly a third of whom are veterans, dedicate their lives to serving our nation every day with honor and pride. Stripping these patriotic citizens of their union rights weakens workplace safety, morale, and effectiveness and harms the public by degrading government services. AFGE members are grateful to this bipartisan group of lawmakers for standing up for our unions, public service, and American values.”

NFFE National President Randy Erwin: “Every single Member of Congress depends on hardworking federal employees to deliver critical services to their constituents on a daily basis. Not only is the right to form and join a union protected by the Constitution, but lawmakers from both parties also agree that this attack on working people is reckless and unwarranted. With 222 cosponsors, this bill is a bipartisan path forward to stop the most egregious attack on working people this country has ever seen. The House must approve the discharge petition and pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act to uphold an essential right of federal workers.”

IFPTE President Matthew Biggs: “IFPTE thanks Congressman Golden for championing the bipartisan Protecting America’s Workforce Act, legislation that has procured the bipartisan support of 222 House members and will overturn President Trump’s destructive, union-busting executive order.  We urge all House lawmakers to join both Representative Golden, and Republican co-author, Congressman Fitzpatrick, to sign the petition and send a clear message to Speaker Johnson and the Trump Administration that union-busting in our federal sector, and in our nation, is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by Congress.”

The Protect America’s Workforce Act has also been endorsed by the following unions representing federal employees: the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU), National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and the United Steelworkers (USW).

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