Internal NFFE News
Updated April 3, 2025
Since January 20th, the Trump Administration – alongside unelected bureaucrat and billionaire Elon Musk – has launched a series of initiatives and policy actions that directly threaten federal employees, harm NFFE members, and undermine the civil service. NFFE is fighting every day to protect our members and uphold the rights of federal workers. Here’s how:
1. Advocating in Congress: For nearly two years since the release of Project 2025, NFFE has been warning lawmakers about the coordinated effort to weaken the civil service. Our legislative team regularly briefs members of both parties on how they can support federal employees and defend democracy. We have also established weekly briefings with key lawmakers and Congressional committees to ensure consistent messaging and legislative strategy. On March 5, NFFE endorsed the MERIT Act, which would reinstate the tens of thousands of federal workers who were unlawfully terminated by President Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE. On April 1, NFFE endorsed the Protect America’s Workforce Act (H.R. 2550), legislation aimed at restoring collective bargaining rights of federal workers targeted by President Trump’s executive order, which unlawfully and unilaterally ends collective bargaining with federal unions.
2. Taking Legal Action: On April 3, NFFE filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s executive order (EO), Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs, which instructs 18 federal agencies to unlawfully and unilaterally end collective bargaining with federal unions. On February 28, NFFE filed a mass grievance on behalf of Forest Service probationary employees who were illegally fired. We will be filing similar grievances for other agencies and departments. On February 24, NFFE won an injunction stopping Elon Musk and DOGE from hacking into private federal employee data at OPM. This stems from the legal action on February 10, where NFFE and a separate coalition of labor unions filed a lawsuit against Musk and DOGE, challenging their unlawful access to confidential data belonging to millions of Americans, including federal employees and retirees. On February 17th, NFFE and other advocacy groups filed a lawsuit seeking to stop DOGE from accessing federal employee and taxpayer data through the IRS systems. On February 12, NFFE and a coalition of labor unions filed a new lawsuit against the Trump Administration that challenges the firing of probationary employees, the deferred resignation ploy to pressure employees to voluntarily resign, and large-scale reductions-in-force (RIFs) that violate federal laws. Our legal team continues to assess additional legal challenges that may be necessary to protect federal workers.
3. Working with Union Coalitions and Advocacy Groups: NFFE works closely with major labor organizations, including the AFL-CIO and the IAM, to coordinate defenses of the civil service. As the lead union in the Federal Workers Alliance, we collaborate with other unions representing federal employees to amplify our collective voice. We have partnered with independent advocacy groups like Civil Service Strong and Democracy Forward in our shared goal of protecting the federal workforce.
4. Informing the Public: NFFE leaders have been featured nearly every day since the inauguration in national TV, print, and online media to highlight the dangerous consequences of these attacks on the civil service. We continue to argue that protecting federal workers is essential to preserving the public services Americans rely on.
5. Providing Resources for Members: To help members navigate the latest threats, NFFE has published guidance and FAQs on issues like the OPM email on five things you did last week, “deferred resignation” offer, and recent executive orders. We have hosted membership-wide meetings on the EO ending collective bargaining, and also in March, February, and late January to provide updates and answer questions.
6. Securing Independent Platforms for Communication & Representation: Recognizing that the Trump Administration may attempt to block government email use and union access to workplaces, NFFE has launched a new communication tool to keep members connected. Additionally, we are preparing to roll out a direct online dues payment platform in anticipation of the administration’s expected ban on payroll dues deductions for federal employees.
The Fight Continues: Attacks on the federal workforce will persist over the next four years—but NFFE remains steadfast in our mission to defend the nonpartisan civil service and uphold democracy. These efforts are made possible by the support of dues-paying NFFE members. We encourage you to get involved in this critical fight for the future of the federal workforce. Join us today!