Further Exclusions From the Federal Labor- Management Relations Program
Sep 3, 2025
Sep 3, 2025
Summary
Removes some federal government groups from rules that let workers join unions, saying it is needed to protect the country's security.
What problem does this solve?
Some government jobs are very important for national security, and some claim that having unions could create problems. This order stops workers in these specific jobs from being part of a union.
Who does this affect?
- Federal employees in specified agencies
- Federal employee unions
What does this order do?
Excludes NASA and the U.S. Agency for Global Media
Removes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the United States Agency for Global Media from federal labor relations programs.
Excludes parts of the Department of Commerce
Removes the International Trade Administration, the Office of the Commissioner for Patents, and parts of NOAA, including the National Weather Service, from federal labor relations programs.
Excludes Bureau of Reclamation hydropower units
Removes units in the Bureau of Reclamation that operate, manage, or maintain hydropower facilities from federal labor relations programs.
Extends deadline for other exclusions
Gives the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs an extra 15 days from the date of this order to issue their own exclusions from labor programs.
What is the real world impact?
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Weakens federal employee unions
Prevents employees in agencies deemed critical to national security from joining unions or bargaining collectively. This gives the government more control over these workers but removes their ability to negotiate working conditions.
When does this start?
This order takes effect on August 28, 2025, and includes a specific deadline for other government departments.
Deadline for Defense and Veterans Affairs exclusions
The Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs must issue any orders for their own exclusions within 15 days of August 28, 2025.

