Worker Policy Watch
Your source for accurate and reliable information on how federal policies are shaping workers’ rights—and what’s at stake for working people nationwide under the Trump administration.
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Trump Fires the Chair of Federal Labor Relations Authority Chair In Apparent Violation of Federal Law
The Trump administration unlawfully fired Chair Tsui Grundmann from the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), an independent agency that ensures federal workers can form unions, collectively bargain, and file complaints against adverse employment actions.
Impact:
Grundmann’s removal is the latest example of the Trump administration’s seemingly illegal efforts to neuter the agencies that protect the rights of federal workers, as he prepares to fire large percentages of them without justification. According to federal law, FLRA members can only be removed for specified reasons, and they must be given a hearing first. Grundmann’s term was supposed to end on July 1, 2025.
Trump Administration Fires Chair of the Merit Systems Protection Board In Apparent Violation of Federal Law
The Trump administration unlawfully fired Chair Cathy Harris from the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), an independent, quasi-judicial agency established to protect the rights of federal workers.
Impact:
The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) hears appeals from federal workers who challenge their discharge or disciplinary actions against them. The MSPB is one of the few enforcement authorities to protect federal workers against unjust firings and unfiar discipline due to political partisanship. The MSPB now has only two members, one a Democrat and one a Republican. Although federal workers can still appeal their discharge or discipline to an administrative law judge, if they get a favorable opinion and the government appeals to the MSPB, the Board is likely to deadlock on any novel or politically charged issues, leaving federal employees without this important resource to protect their job security.
Trump Signs Executive Order to Abolish the Federal Executive Institute
Trump’s latest executive order eliminates the Federal Executive Institute (FEI) based in Charlottesville, Virginia, the leading training and development center for federal workers in leadership.
Impact:
The Executive Order to close the FEI is another example of Trump’s attack on the federal civil service. FEI was first opened in 1968 by the Office of Personnel Management to help federal workers develop leadership skills and training. The closure of the FEI could impact over 100 workers in Charlottesville.
Trump Seeks to Weaken Worker Protections and Gut Federal Workforce With New Regulations
The Trump administration has submitted draft regulations to eliminate civil service protections for federal workers and undo the regulatory safeguards for job protections the Biden administration put in place last year.
Impact:
Referred to as “Schedule F,” this new category of federal employees was first established during the first Trump presidency, rescinded by President Biden, and then reinstated on day one of Trump’s second term. The Trump administration is seeking to aggressively gut and control the federal government in unprecedented and apparently unlawful ways. Several lawsuits have been filed by labor unions and worker organizations challenging the Trump administration Executive Order seeking to reclassify federal workers under “schedule F” making it easier for them to be fired.
Trump Administration Indefinitely Pauses Federal Workplace Safety Council in Likely Violation of Federal Law
The Trump administration effectively shut down the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health, an advisory group of labor unions and federal agencies established by law to provide recommendations to the Secretary of Labor on worker safety and health across agencies.
Impact:
By shutting down the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health, the Trump administration is in violation of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The “pause” of the OSHA advisory council does not appear to be isolated to the Department of Labor. There are reports of similar pauses at Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health and Homeland Security.
Thousands of Foreign Aid Workers Could Soon Be Unemployed Amid Trump Funding Freeze
The Trump administration’s foreign aide funding freeze has already resulted in some layoffs for foreign aid and humanitarian organization workers and thousands of workers, including contractors, may soon be unemployed.
Impact:
The U.S. is the largest provider of humanitarian assistance worldwide, deploying billions of dollars through multiple agencies, including the USAID. With the current federal foreign aide funding freeze and essential shutdown of USAID, foreign aide and humanitarian organizations that depend on these funding streams have already begun to furlough and let go workers, and of course, cannot perform or provide their live-saving services.
A Memo from a Trump Administration Official Warns of Likely Federal Workforce Layoffs
A General Services Administration official’s memo warns of likely layoffs of as many as 50% of federal workers in some agencies, right before the "deferred resignation" offer window closes on Thursday.
Impact:
Over two million federal workers received a resignation offer on January 28th that expires on Thursday, February 6th. Federal workforce unions and other groups have urged caution against accepting the offer, which appears designed to pressure federal workers to hastily resign their positions in the chaos. Memos like the one from GSA are designed to increase the pressure for federal workers to resign, rather than staying on the job, serving the public, and relying on their civil service protections to keep them in their jobs.
Whole Foods Attempts to Void Union Victory for Workers in Philadelphia because of Trump’s Likely Illegal Firing of NLRB Member Wilcox
Amazon-owned Whole Foods files a request to the National Labor Relations Board to dismiss the results of a union election at a Whole Foods in Philadelphia where workers voted to unionize.
Impact:
Last month, workers at a Whole Foods store in Philadelphia voted in favor of joining the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Union. Union representatives for UFCW argue that given Trump’s shakeup of the NLRB, this is a stalling tactic designed to delay Whole Foods coming to the negotiating table to bargain with workers. Currently, with the likely illegal firing of Gwynne Wilcox from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the NLRB lacks a quorum and are unable to issue decisions in labor disputes.
Trump appoints William B. Cowen Acting General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board
Trump appoints William Cowen as Acting General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) after firing Acting General Counsel Jessica Rutter, former General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo, and NLRB Member Gwynne Wilcox.
Impact:
Even with Cowen now appointed, the NLRB remains one member short of a quorum and cannot take action in cases of unfair labor practices. Gwynne Wilcox has sued the Trump administration saying her dismissal from the National Labor Relations Board is illegal.
Trump Puts USAID Workers on Leave And Recalls Overseas Staff
The Trump administration effectively shuts down the USAID by putting almost all of staff on leave and begins process to withdraw USAID staff overseas.
Impact:
Two thirds of USAID’s staff are positioned overseas, and the abrupt recall back to the United States leaves workers and their families scrambling to make arrangements and uproot their lives. USAID workers, supporters, and law makers protested outside the agency headquarters on Monday to rally against DOGE overreach and the devastating impact a USAID shutdown has on workers and communities world-wide.