House votes to restore federal workers’ collective bargaining rights

Labor movement lauds bipartisan victory underlining the public’s overwhelming support for unions 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 12, 2025) — A bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives voted to pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act (H.R. 2550) Thursday, a resounding rebuke of a union-busting executive order signed by the President in March. The bill that would restore collective bargaining rights to 1 million federal workers, reversing executive actions by the Trump administration to cancel union contracts and deprive public servants of basic labor rights. Organized labor celebrated news of final passage out of the House, and called for immediate action in the Senate. 

From the AFL-CIO:

With nearly 70% of Americans supporting unions, politicians face a clear mandate to protect workers’ rights and the freedom to have a voice on the job. The bipartisan bill, introduced by Reps. Jared Golden (Maine) and Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.), came to the floor for a vote by a rare discharge petition and passed 231-195 with support from Republicans and Democrats. It is the first time the House of Representatives has voted to overturn a Trump executive order during his second term.

“President Trump betrayed workers when he tried to rip away our collective bargaining rights. In these increasingly polarized times, working people delivered a rare bipartisan majority to stop the administration’s unprecedented attacks on our freedoms,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “We commend the Republicans and Democrats who stood with workers and voted to reverse the single largest act of union-busting in American history.” “Americans trust unions more than either political party. As we turn to the Senate—where the bill already has bipartisan support—working people are calling on the politicians we elected to stand with us, even if it means standing up to the union-busting boss in the White House.”

A bipartisan companion bill to restore federal workers’ rights has already been introduced in the Senate with 48 original co-sponsors, and more than 15 active lawsuits are challenging the administration’s executive order in the courts as the labor movement fights to rein in this illegal power grab.

AFGE members rally in D.C. in March. Photo: AFGE

From AFGE:

“By voting to approve the Protect America’s Workforce Act, 231 members of Congress have demonstrated their support for the nonpartisan civil service, for the dedicated employees who serve our country with honor and distinction, and for the critical role that collective bargaining has in fostering a safe, protective, and collaborative workplace,” AFGE National President Everett Kelley said.

AFGE extends its deep appreciation to every member of Congress who voted for the bill – standing up for the rights of federal workers to protect our nation, care for veterans, process Social Security benefits, secure our borders, respond to disasters, and keep the government running for the American people.

The legislation now heads to the Senate for its approval.

“This vote marks an historic achievement for the House’s bipartisan pro-labor majority, courageously led by Reps. Jared Golden of Maine and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania. We need to build on this seismic victory in the House and get immediate action in the Senate – and also ensure that any future budget bills similarly protect collective bargaining rights for the largely unseen civil servants who keep our government running,” Kelley said.

From AFSCME President Lee Saunders:

“We applaud the House of Representatives for passing the Protect America’s Workforce Act – a bill that strengthens federal workers’ freedoms on the job so they can continue to keep our nation safe, healthy and strong. This bill not only provides workers’ critical protections from an administration that has spent the past year relentlessly attacking them, but it also ensures that our communities are served by the most qualified public service workers – not just those with the best political connections. On behalf of the thousands of AFSCME members working across our federal government, we thank the lawmakers who stood with over one million federal workers today in voting to restore their collective bargaining freedoms.”

IFPTE members and supporters rallying for NASA federal workers in September. Photo: IFPTE

From IFPTE President Matthew Biggs:

“While Republican Congressional leadership used their majority to scuttle NDAA language rejecting President Trump’s union-busting, a bipartisan bill in the House led by Maine Democratic Congressman Jared Golden, Pennsylvania Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries was easily passed in the House with 231 votes. The Protect America’s Workforce Act would not have reached the House floor were it not for a working bipartisan majority of House members signing a discharge petition to bring the legislation to the floor against the wishes of Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson. The House of Representatives has now passed legislation to repeal the first Trump Executive Order that eliminates collective bargaining rights for over 1 million federal employees.

It’s time for President Trump to recognize what a bipartisan majority in the House recognizes: federal workers take an oath to protect the Constitution and to faithfully perform their duties, and through their unions and collective bargaining, federal workers improve their working conditions, public services, and their agencies’ operations. Nullifying the March 27 and August 28 Executive Orders and maintaining federal employees’ bargaining rights isn’t just pro-worker, it’s pro-America.”