Labor union NTEU also launched a lawsuit defending federal workers in nonpartisan roles
January 27, 2025
On Monday January 20th, AFGE joined Public Citizen and State Democracy Defenders Fund (SDDF) in rolling out a lawsuit to assure that the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (“DOGE”) abides by the requirements that the Federal Advisory Committee Act established.
AFGE’s national president Everett Kelley provided the following comment:
“AFGE will not stand idly by as a secretive group of ultra-wealthy individuals with major conflicts of interest attempt to deregulate themselves and give their own companies sweetheart government contracts while firing civil servants and dismantling the institutions designed to serve the American people… This fight is about fairness, accountability, and the integrity of our government. Federal employees are not the problem—they are the solution. They deserve to have their voices heard in decisions that affect their work, their agencies, and the public they serve”
Read more at:
- Public Citizen, SDDF, and AFGE Sue Trump Administration Over DOGE – Public Citizen
- Federal worker advocates file legal challenges to DOGE, Schedule F | FedScoop
NTEU (the National Treasury Employees Union) also initiated a lawsuit on Monday January 20th in response to an Executive Order released that same day “to convert federal nonpartisan career jobs into political favors for loyalists,” as an NTEU press release explained.
NTEU’s National President Doreen Greenwald had the following to say on the matter:
“The American people deserve to have day-to-day government services in the hands of qualified professionals who are committed to public service and stay on the job regardless of which political party holds the White House… Yesterday’s Executive Order is a dangerous step backward to a political spoils system that Congress expressly rejected 142 years ago, which is why we are suing to have the order declared unlawful.”
Both unions are working quickly and diligently to ensure the incoming administration abides by the laws and processes in place to protect public servants as they work for the betterment of all Americans.
As a member of AFGE, I feel like I have a voice to make a difference and continuously improve the workplace for my fellow colleagues and myself!
I joined the Union not long after my employment in Census around 2002-2003, at that time, I was encouraged by my fellow colleagues who were members and I wanted to see what the union was all about. Fast forward to 2023 and I’m still part of a great team of people who are very engaged and dedicated to helping out its members in any way they can. A highly trustworthy and loyal group that know when to take it to the table and also have fun during our many yearly events both online and in person.
I choose to be a member of my union because I need the support and ability to fight for our rights. Without the union, there would be no protection.