The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced plans to implement an executive order that excludes the agency from federal labor-management relations, effectively ending collective bargaining with unions.
Under the order, NASA will stop recognizing the International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers (IFPTE) and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) as exclusive representatives for its employees. The agency will also terminate existing collective bargaining agreements, cease processing grievances, and withdraw from scheduled arbitrations.
Local union AFEU/IFPTE has responded by stating that they will fight this executive order using all available legal avenues. They have filed a lawsuit challenging the wholesale rescinding of union contracts and plan to continue advocating for employee rights despite not being officially recognized as representatives.
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren has also spoken out against the Trump administration’s actions, calling them “union busting” and criticizing President Trump’s targeting of dedicated civil servants.
Meanwhile, Congressman Brad Sherman and Senator Elizabeth Warren have reintroduced a bill aimed at striking down so-called “right-to-work” laws across the country. The Nationwide Right to Unionize Act would repeal these anti-union laws, allowing workers nationwide to organize and bargain collectively without restrictions.
As NASA’s implementation of EO 14343 continues, union members are advised to remain vigilant and join their local unions, such as AFEU/IFPTE, to continue fighting for their rights.
Source: https://nasawatch.com/personnel-news/nasa-ames-union-response-to-executive-order-14343