Rep. Bresnahan Drives Push to Restore Federal Workers’ Rights

A significant movement to restore collective bargaining rights for federal workers is underway, spearheaded by U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan. His office announced that a discharge petition he signed has garnered enough support to prompt a vote in the House of Representatives on a bill aimed at reinstating these rights for hundreds of thousands of federal employees.

Under the House’s discharge rule, members can bring legislation to the floor for consideration without needing committee approval if they secure 218 signatures. Bresnahan, a Republican from Dallas Township, is one of only five Republicans among the supporting members, who signed Discharge Petition 6 on September 2, 2023.

In a news release, Bresnahan emphasized the importance of collective bargaining for federal workers, stating, “From the workers at USP Canaan, the most dangerous federal prison on the East Coast, to those at the Wilkes-Barre Social Security Office who respond to calls nationwide, our district is home to 10,000 federal workers who serve our communities every single day.” He expressed his commitment to union rights, calling them fundamental to a fair labor system and a strong middle class.

The proposed legislation, known as the Protect America’s Workforce Act, would reverse an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump. This order stripped collective bargaining protections from union workers in various federal agencies, including the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Bureau of Prisons, and the Social Security Administration. The order impacted approximately 67% of the federal workforce, many of whom are veterans or long-serving public servants in non-national security roles.

Introduced in April, the bipartisan bill aims to restore these rights and has gained traction amid ongoing legal challenges to Trump’s executive order. In late March, a federal judge temporarily blocked the order, ruling that a significant portion could not be enforced at numerous agencies represented by the National Treasury Employees Union. However, in May, an appeals court permitted the order to proceed while litigation continues, following an emergency request from Trump’s administration.

In a further development, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced plans in August to remove collective bargaining rights from thousands of employees within federal health agencies. The timeline for a vote in the House on the Protect America’s Workforce Act remains uncertain, but the push by Bresnahan and his colleagues indicates a strong commitment to advocating for federal workers’ rights.

As this legislative effort unfolds, it highlights the crucial role that collective bargaining plays in shaping labor relations within the federal workforce, impacting countless employees and their families across the nation.