Federal Employee Unions File Expanded Lawsuit Challenging Trump Administration’s Illegal Shutdown Firings
“This joint action reaffirms two truths: that organized labor is leading the fight against the administration’s unprecedented and unlawful attack on federal workers’ rights, and that the more vicious and outrageous their attacks become, the stronger we stand in solidarity. Our opponents’ entire game plan is to divide, demoralize, and defeat us, but we will prevail by taking a stand in every venue available, including the courts,” said IFPTE President Matt Biggs. “We are honored to join with AFGE, AFSCME, NFFE, NAGE, SEIU, NTEU, and AFT, our union sisters and brothers, to challenge the illegal firings being implemented by OPM Director Vought, and we will not hesitate to use every resource to protect IFPTE members employed by the federal government.” If you would like to read the full story go to IFPTE.ORG
IFPTE Urges Senate to Support Van Hollen and Peters Bills Protecting All Federal Workers, Reject Sen. Johnson’s Competing ‘Divide and Conquer’ Approach
Before Thursday’s Senate vote, IFPTE penned a letter to Senators noting that, “While we applaud any Senator who wants to ensure that federal workers working during the shutdown are paid on time, we request that you support Sen. Van Hollen and Sen. Peters’ respective bills that improve the Shutdown Fairness Act. Sen. Johnson’s Shutdown Fairness Act overlooks the fact that this government shutdown, and those before it, have resulted in locking out hundreds of thousands of federal workers, far exceeding any lockout in any other sector of the U.S. economy.” Senator Johnson’s bill ultimately failed. If you would like to read the full story go to IFPTE.ORG
SCMMA Local 222 Votes to Merge with the Society of United Professionals (SUP/IFPTE Local 160)
SUP/IFPTE Local 160 was proud to welcome the Saskatoon Civic Middle Management Association (SCMMA Local 222), which represents 450 City of Saskatoon employees, to the SUP family. The merger vote passed overwhelmingly this week, with 93% of SCMMA members voting to join the Society. 82% of all SCMMA members cast a ballot, with voting conducted through secure online balloting. If you would like to read the full story go to IFPTE.ORG
IFPTE Attends Senate Hearing on Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Nominees
The hearing, which was held on Wednesday on Capitol Hill, focused on the views of the nominees with respect to honoring TVA union contracts and potential TVA privatization. Ahead of the hearing, Legislative Director Faraz Khan and Secretary-Treasurer Gay Henson, participated in several Senate Hill meetings warning against the dangers of privatization, something IFPTE is well-prepared to actively work against. If you would like to read the full story go to IFPTE.ORG
Bail Reform Must Uphold Rights, Not Erode Them: SUP Letter to Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey
The Society of United Professionals (SUP/IFPTE Local 160), representing approximately 400 Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) lawyers, weighed in with concerns of SUP members with the Ontario government’s repeated calls to further restrict access to bail for accused persons. In an October 14th letter to Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey, with a copy sent to Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Sean Fraser, SUP/IFPTE Local 160 President/Canadian Area Vice President, Rebecca Caron wrote that, “It is of utmost importance that the presumption of innocence be protected in the law of bail.” If you would like to read the full story go to IFPTE.ORG
“Rise Up, Fight Back” – Federal Worker Legal Defense Network Solidarity Docket Keeps Fed ‘In the Know’
Federal Workers Legal Defense Network General Counsel, Suzanne Summerlin, authored her latest “Solidarity Docket” this week, updating federal workers on the latest legal activity from the labor movement to combat the Trump Administration’s attacks on civil servants. If you would like to read the full story go to IFPTE.ORG
IFPTE Local 400 