An Attack on Democracy in Action
Democracy is more than a political practice that happens in the privacy of a voting booth. Our workplaces have long been a vital site for practicing democracy through actions like collective bargaining. Democratizing our work—from local Social Security offices to the shop floor—is critical to shifting power away from corporate stakeholders and back into the hands of working people.
On Thursday, March 27, 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order to strip collective bargaining rights from federal employees. Collective bargaining, at its best, is a system by which working people and their communities can exercise collective action in a way that directly confronts corporate greed and reclaims their power. This attack on decades-honored workers’ rights is yet another attempt to fully dismantle our democracy, attack worker leaders and their unions, and install an oligarchy led by Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
UPDATE, APRIL 25: Unions are standing with their members and fighting the order in the courts with some success.
“Federal employees have had the right to join a union and bargain collectively for decades – through multiple wars, international conflicts, and a global health emergency during President Trump’s first term. During all that time they served the American people with honor and distinction. No one, including President Trump, ever suggested unions were a national security concern. Trump’s newest order to revoke union rights is a clear case of retaliation. But I’ve got news for him: we are not going anywhere.”
“Federal workers and all AFSCME members have been making their voices heard in court and on the streets to protect public services and their jobs. They won’t let billionaires raid our communities without consequence – and that’s why they’re facing retaliation.”
“America’s public service workers don’t work for profits, politics, or for glory – they serve our nation. The President’s unlawful executive order attacking federal unions is not only an attack on a million federal workers, but is a direct attack on all workers who seek a collective voice to bargain for a better future.”
“The VA nurses rely on collective bargaining to advocate for patient safety and ensure the best care for our veterans – most of whom are over 45 years old, and many of whom have a disability. Without these bargaining rights, we risk retaliation for speaking up and holding our employers accountable. Our veterans deserve nurses who can fight for their care without fear.”
“This is the most significant assault on collective bargaining rights we have ever seen in the United States.”