The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) has announced its intention to continue legal action against recent guidance from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which calls for federal agencies to terminate or modify existing collective bargaining agreements in line with Executive Orders 14251 and 14343.
Brian Bryant, International President of the IAM Union, issued a statement expressing concern about the administration’s actions. “This administration continues to embark on the largest attack on workers’ rights in the history of this country. They are targeting federal workers, the dedicated public servants who serve the American people every day, in a deliberate attempt to strip away union rights, weaken collective bargaining agreements, and silence the voices of working families.”
Bryant emphasized that these measures impact thousands of IAM Union members, including those affiliated with the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM). He stated, “This directly affects thousands of IAM Union members, including our National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) members and other IAM-represented federal workers across the country who keep our government functioning and our nation strong. These workers are not political pawns. They are public servants who deserve the full protection of the law and the respect of the government they serve.”
He referenced a prior court decision on union recognition and collective bargaining agreements: “A federal court has already made clear that agencies must restore union recognition and maintain existing collective bargaining agreements. The law is clear, and any attempt to ignore these protections is unlawful and a direct violation of workers’ rights.”
Bryant also linked this issue to broader labor concerns: “This is not just an attack on federal workers. It is an attack on the fundamental rights of all working people. If an administration can unlawfully strip rights from federal workers, no worker in America is safe from similar attacks.”
The IAM Union plans to challenge these actions both through litigation and advocacy efforts. “The IAM Union, alongside NFFE-IAM and our labor allies, is challenging these unlawful actions in the courts and in every hall of power in this nation. We will fight to enforce the law, defend our contracts, and protect every one of our members.”
He concluded by reaffirming their commitment: “Our message is simple: We will not be intimidated. We will not be silenced. And we will never stop fighting until the rights, dignity and protections of our members and all federal workers are fully secured.”
IAM represents about 600,000 active and retired members working across sectors such as aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroads, transit systems, healthcare services, automotive manufacturing, as well as various roles within the federal sector throughout North America.
