The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) has announced its intention to continue legal action against recent federal measures that the union says threaten the rights of federal workers. The announcement follows guidance from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to end or change current collective bargaining agreements for federal employees, as directed by Executive Orders 14251 and 14343.
Brian Bryant, International President of IAM Union, released a statement criticizing the administration’s actions. “This administration continues to embark on the largest attack on workers’ rights in the history of this country. They are targeting federal workers, the dedicated public servants who serve the American people every day, in a deliberate attempt to strip away union rights, weaken collective bargaining agreements, and silence the voices of working families,” Bryant said.
He emphasized that these changes would impact thousands of IAM members nationwide. “This directly affects thousands of IAM Union members, including our National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) members and other IAM-represented federal workers across the country who keep our government functioning and our nation strong. These workers are not political pawns. They are public servants who deserve the full protection of the law and the respect of the government they serve,” he stated.
Bryant also referenced a prior court decision regarding union recognition for federal employees: “A federal court has already made clear that agencies must restore union recognition and maintain existing collective bargaining agreements. The law is clear, and any attempt to ignore these protections is unlawful and a direct violation of workers’ rights.”
He warned that actions taken against federal unions could set a precedent affecting all American workers. “This is not just an attack on federal workers. It is an attack on the fundamental rights of all working people. If an administration can unlawfully strip rights from federal workers, no worker in America is safe from similar attacks,” Bryant said.
According to Bryant, IAM Union will continue its efforts both in courtrooms and through advocacy: “The IAM Union, alongside NFFE-IAM and our labor allies, is challenging these unlawful actions in the courts and in every hall of power in this nation. We will fight to enforce the law, defend our contracts, and protect every one of our members.”
“Our message is simple: We will not be intimidated. We will not be silenced. And we will never stop fighting until the rights, dignity and protections of our members and all federal workers are fully secured,” he concluded.
IAM Union represents about 600,000 active and retired members across North America in industries such as aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroads, transit systems, healthcare services, automotive manufacturing sectors as well as among federal sector employees.
