Federal employees union sues over Trump move to block collective bargaining
President Trump last week signed an order that directed agencies to terminate already-signed collective bargaining agreements and to 'cease participating in grievance procedures.'
The Civil Service Reform Act that gives federal employees the right to unionize does have exceptions for national security, but in its suit the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) argues Trump went beyond authority that allows its use if an agency 'primarily does intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative, or national security work.'
'The President's sweeping Executive Order is inconsistent with this narrow authority. The Administration's own issuances show that the President's exclusions are not based on national security concerns, but instead a policy objective of making federal employees easier to fire and political animus against federal sector unions,' NTEU wrote in its suit.
While the order targets agencies it says have a national security mission, many of the departments don't have a strict national security connection.
In addition to agencies with clear national security ties, the order also covers the Treasury Department, all agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, the General Services Administration and many more.
NTEU said that the statute may only be used 'in a manner consistent with national security requirements and considerations.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Politico
17 minutes ago
- Politico
NRCC memo outlines GOP talking points for selling megabill
The memo reveals how the party hopes to communicate a potential vulnerability ahead of next year's midterms. In particular, the NRCC wants members to cast the bill's Medicaid cuts — already a top target of Democrats — as an overhaul that will strengthen the program. The organization also highlights polls showing voters support work requirements and removing ineligible recipients from coverage. 'With the One Big Beautiful Bill signed into law by President Trump just a few weeks ago, this is a critical opportunity to continue to define how this legislation will help every voter and push back on Democrat fearmongering,' the NRCC wrote in the memo. The comprehensive memo from Republicans' campaign arm shows just how crucial the messaging battle will be ahead of 2026, as both parties expect the megabill, recently signed into law, to become one of the top issues of the cycle. Republicans want to avoid letting Democrats control the message around the bill, especially given that midterms historically favor the party that is out of power — and rule of the House could be decided by just a few seats. By equipping the conference with ample talking points, the NRCC is hoping members can stave off the onslaught of attacks from Democrats. The memo relays a few areas the NRCC wants members to focus on, including getting ahead of the attacks that Democrats have already started waging about the bill. 'We can't let them control the narrative,' the NRCC said of Democrats. Congressional Republicans joined President Donald Trump in signing their 'one big beautiful' bill last week. | Evan Vucci/AP In warning GOP members not to fall for Democratic 'trackers,' or political operatives who will try to get them to say damaging info, while they are back home, the NRCC advised, 'They are not reporters or constituents; you do not owe them a response.' In addition to Medicaid, the NRCC urged its members to highlight tax relief, immigration, business reforms and 'holding elites accountable.'
Axios
18 minutes ago
- Axios
Drug prices likely to rise with tariffs on EU
The trade deal between the U.S. and the European Union could hit the pharmaceutical industry with billions in new costs and ultimately drive up prices and limit access. Why it matters: Drugmakers have been heavily reliant on foreign countries' manufacturing and raw materials, most of it duty-free. Those free-trade policies are on the way out as the U.S. prepares to impose a 15% tariff on U.S.-bound imports of branded drugs from Europe. Driving the news: Wall Street analysts estimated the tariff deal could cost the industry between $13 billion and $19 billion, Reuters reported on Monday. "The big picture is: The cost of imported drugs is about to become more expensive for all Americans," Joe Brusuelas, principal and chief economist for RSM US, told Axios. Europe is among the biggest sources of branded drugs and their ingredients for the U.S. Ireland alone accounted for about $50 billion of U.S. pharma imports last year. Pharma giants like Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson have made Ireland a major manufacturing hub and source of cancer drugs, insulin, Viagra and Botox. Denmark is home of Novo Nordisk, which makes the blockbuster GLP-1 drugs Ozempic and Wegovy as well as much of the U.S. insulin supply. The immunosuppressive drug Humira is made in Germany, while Bavarian Nordic's Jynneos, a vaccine for smallpox and mpox, is largely made in Denmark, per Reuters research. Between the lines: The details of the trade deal with the EU still are being hammered out. The new tariffs wouldn't apply to certain generic drugs, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday. The announcement left the door open for President Trump to impose even higher tariffs. Trump had recently threatened to impose 200% tariffs on pharma. "I think the PBMs are going to start to have conversations with manufacturers about increasing those prices," said Ryan Maizel, senior director of advisory services at Model N. But there are too many unknowns for any real action yet. "I don't see anyone doing anything until we see that these deals are worth the paper that eventually they're going to be written on," Marc Busch, a Georgetown University authority on international trade policy, told Axios. Manufacturers will have to game out whether to take on major one-time expenses of moving their production, as well as whether to pass along future higher costs for certain drugs. That's a process that will almost certainly take place between industry lobbyists and policymakers in Washington, Brusuelas said. "The inside-the-Beltway horse trading is going to go on," he said. Industry trade group PhRMA did not return a request for comment. The new EU tariffs will affect items like packaging or plastics used for bottles or blister packs, which could influence the cost of low-priced generics and over-the-counter products made in the EU, Maizel said. What to watch: The industry is still closely watching the administration's Section 232 investigation that could end with a recommendation to put a certain tariff rate on drug imports from China and India. Oral arguments will also be heard this week in a lawsuit challenging Trump's authority using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose sweeping "reciprocal" tariffs, CNBC reported. "If the IEEPA tariffs are taken down then I don't even know what the status of these deals will be," Busch said. "Trump will obviously get very angry, and I don't know how he backfills."
USA Today
18 minutes ago
- USA Today
‘American Dream' making a comeback as President Trump makes country great again
Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are those of our readers and not the Pensacola News Journal. In order for letters to be considered for publication, they must be 250 words or less and include your full name, address and phone number. Only your name and city of residence will be published. Submission does not guarantee publication. Email submissions to opinion@ 'American Dream' making a comeback because of President Trump President Donald Trump's skill as a negotiator is clearly illustrated by major companies, e.g., GE, IBM, J&J, Apple, Merck, and others planning to build factories in America. More jobs plus new tax deductions create opportunities for all Americans. Joe Biden's open-door policy released millions of illegal aliens into the United States. Remember the caravans of thousands of illegals walking from South America through Mexico to the U.S.? Many of the women and children were abused or killed. President Trump and his staff are working hard to arrest and deport the most dangerous illegals first. Unfortunately, liberal Democrats stand in his way at every turn. He has even had to call out the National Guard to maintain the rule of law in California. I for one am sick and tired of liberal Democrats doing nothing but complaining about Trump rather than helping to 'Make America Great Again.' God bless America. William Thomas, Pensacola Why can't utility companies share conduits already in place? For years we have had Cox underground cables in our neighborhood to locate every time we want to plant a bush. Then, this spring, AT&T puts in their fiber cable service by digging up patches of our yards, tunneling under driveways and installing separate cable conduits and access boxes (and incidentally busting the water main in two places on 12th Avenue). Now we learn that T-Mobile fiber is going to do the same thing AT&T did (hopefully not bust the water main). Who is approving these contracts? Why can't they make these companies share the conduits they already have in place? Will every company who wants to provide internet cable to our neighborhood have to chop up our lawns and add access boxes to my little 50 foot wide front yard? I already have a large Florida Power & Light transformer, a large Cox Cable box, an old AT&T phone box, a cover plate over the new AT&T box, and a street light post. I don't know where T-Mobile will put their box. I don't have any more room. I know all of this is on the utility easement, but there ought to be some type of compensation for having a utility center in half of my front yard! James Day, Pensacola No excuse not to fix Jefferson Street parking lot elevator As a local resident I pay for parking all the time. In spite of the parking income the city collects, the elevator at the Jefferson Street parking lot has remained broken for weeks. I have spoken to some of the local businesses, and they have unfortunately not gotten any help with it. The city needs to get it fixed. Stanford Morse, Pensacola Pace's U.S. 90 and Woodbine intersection is a mess To whoever designed the intersection at U.S. 90 and Woodbine in Pace, you can't fix stupid. Bill Helms, Pace Early learning development pivotal to healthy environment for kids Early childhood development is an ever-increasing mission. Over the years the wellbeing of our children must remain the highest priority, Understanding the ever-increasing needs of each individual child is crucial. Individual Educational Planning is of the upmost importance and should be based on each child's individual developmental need, and not a majority census. As the 'early learning teacher' we have a crucial role in the overall development of each child within the early learning environment. So, facilitating and understanding the child's needs, not only highlights the 'individual educational needs of children,' but through careful observations the teacher can also track the 'emotional, social, physical, and other needs associated with the child. This is pivotal. By providing a loving, safe, educational, and healthy environment for children to learn, grow, and develop, children have support and opportunities needed for years to come, regardless of their ethnicity, social, economic, educational, or religious background. This simple formula opens a gateway for children to receive the essential ingredients needed on so many levels. Elizabeth Wright, Cantonment 'Alligator Alcatraz' is nothing but Florida's concentration camp Florida has a concentration camp! Giving it a catchy name, "Alligator Alcatraz", does not change the fact that people are being swept up and placed into horrible living conditions without cause. Go online to contact your senators or call senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody at 202-224-3121 in Washington, D.C. (This is the number for all federal senators). You get the switchboard and will be sent to their office, probably to leave a message, so have one ready. If you need to, borrow my message: "Close down Florida's concentration camp, Alligator Alcatraz. Shame on America. Shame on Florida". Are you afraid to call? Afraid this will put you on a "list"? That says it all, doesn't it. The way we lose our rights is by not standing up for others' rights. I am a proud Navy retiree who will never give up on America. Stand together or fall apart. Ruth C. Edwards, Pensacola Downtown Pensacola parking causing businesses to lose support In response to Jim Little's article on downtown parking and Mayor DC. Reeves, who thinks it's working: You have no idea how many people no longer shop or dine downtown Pensacola who live in Escambia County. You apparently can't put data to that number. But I, for one, no longer come and support local restaurants and shopping in downtown Pensacola because of it. Most of the people I discuss this with feel the same. We have 'Pensacola' in our addresses but feel we cannot support our city. So sad after all that Mr. Studer did to make it a viable downtown area. When the businesses begin to fail, maybe you will again address the 'data'. Kathy Cook, Pensacola History will look back on MAGA and 'Alligator Alcatraz' in shame While thinking of the unfortunate people locked up by Trump's ICE night riders in 'Alligator Alcatraz,' maybe think about what the average "illegal" has done. Things like put the roof on your house after a hurricane, picked crops in conditions no American will tolerate, cleaned your trashed hotel room, grunt work in the background of practically every DIY TV program, spent their money in town on food and shelter, not on financial planners, and picked feathers off of chickens and guts out of pigs on processing lines. All those jobs Americans won't do any more, but the "illegals" are eager to get. They showed up for a scheduled immigration hearing and were kidnaped by masked men with guns. They are "illegal" only by the arbitrary definition of powerful people with absolutely no empathy. The undocumented workers are simply poor people trying to get through the week, like on the Statue of Liberty, following a route traveled for 15.000 years. What is wrong with you Trump and MAGA people? Alligator Alcatraz is terrible. You should be ashamed, which is where history is going to put you. Grover Diehl, Gulf Breeze Never miss a story: Subscribe to the Pensacola News Journal using the link at the bottom of the page under Stay Connected.
