Internal NFFE News
October 24, 2024
It is just less than two weeks away from the 2024 Presidential Election and the stakes have never been higher. With the Project 2025 framework, another shot at the United States’ first female president and a third Trump candidacy, there is a lot on the table. But, this election is especially crucial for federal workers.
Former president Donald J. Trump performed better than expected among union workers in the 2016 Presidential Election, but some of that support shifted back to President Joe Biden in 2020 and is expected to carry over to Vice President Kamala Harris. Time will tell what this election holds for how union members and federal workers will vote.
What’s different between now and 2016 and even 2020 is the power of unions. In recent months and years, unions have been more empowered to support workers with tools for mobility, conducted strikes aimed towards better working conditions and pay, fought for a healthy work-life balance for federal employees and encouraged extensions for telework employees to work as they have become accustomed to.
The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) believes in fighting for its members rights’ as federal workers and has even seen record growth in its union membership. NFFE recognizes how important it is to continue striving for better working conditions and rights for all federal employees.
There is no question that this election is an important turning point, and the two candidates at the forefront tout different records and statements when it comes to unionization and labor.
Harris is set to carry on Biden’s legacy as a pro-union president and has also chaired the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment.
“The Harris campaign memo on working with unions detailed her pro-worker record dating back to her time as California Attorney General, when she addressed wage theft. While in office as a U.S. Senator, she walked picket lines in two strikes, the memo states. It also pointed out that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was once a union member with the National Education Association when he was a teacher,” said a recent article in USA Today.
The Trump campaign has pledged to put “America first” for federal workers through actions such as putting across-the-board tariffs on foreign made goods, restoring energy independence and banning Chinese and foreign ownership on all U.S. infrastructure. While these are not necessarily pro-union policies, they have seemed to resonate with some working class voters.
But, Project 2025, though not explicitly claimed by Trump as part of his official agenda, raises concerns for unions and federal workers. Read more about the specific concerns on this page featuring a toolkit and breakdown of the framework.
NFFE asserts that its members need to get out there and vote, but firstly make sure they are prepared to vote. Check that you have taken all of the necessary registration steps and that you are fully informed about the upcoming election here.