Trump terminates more federal union agreements

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday, aiming to terminate collective bargaining agreements at more agencies. The order primarily affects agencies focused on national security, such as the National Weather Service, and NASA, among others.

The Bureau of Reclamation's units managing hydropower are also among those affected by the executive order. However, union officials and the International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers (IFPTE) have expressed opposition to the president's move, perceiving it as retaliation against Trump's most vocal critics.

Matt Biggs, president of the IFPTE, has disputed the reasoning behind the executive order. He stated that the order seeks to deny bargaining rights at NASA, a claim that contradicts the national security rationale cited by the president. Biggs also asserted that the national security rationale for the executive order at NASA is bogus, as bargaining rights for NASA civil servants have been established since the 1960s.

The IFPTE represents the unions of NASA civil servants and other agencies affected by the executive order. Union officials deem the president's move as retaliation against Trump's most vocal critics, a claim that has not been officially confirmed.

The executive order excludes roughly a half-dozen agencies from federal labor law. Besides those involved in national security, typically including entities like the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), National Security Agency (NSA), and other intelligence and defense-related organizations, the specific agencies affected have not been publicly announced.

The International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers has expressed its opposition to the president's move, highlighting the potential impact on workers' rights and the integrity of these agencies' operations. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how this executive order will unfold in the coming days and weeks.