The Issue
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest union for federal workers, has vowed to challenge President-elect Donald Trump’s administration over plans to reverse a contract allowing remote work. This contract, signed under President Biden, extends telework protections for federal employees until 2029.
Trump criticized the agreement during a recent press conference, calling it a "very terrible" decision and signaling plans to pursue legal action to overturn it.
Trump’s Position
Trump argued that the contract undermines workplace accountability. He stated, “If people don’t come back to work, come back into the office, they’re going to be dismissed. And somebody in the Biden administration gave a five-year waiver of that.” He described the contract as “a gift to a union” and emphasized his intent to block it through court action.
The Union’s Response
AFGE National President Everett Kelley pushed back strongly, emphasizing the legal validity of the agreement. “Collective bargaining agreements entered into by the federal government are binding and enforceable under the law. We trust the incoming administration will abide by their obligations to honor lawful union contracts,” Kelley said.
He also warned of potential legal challenges should the Trump administration attempt to break the agreement, stating, “If they fail to do so, we will be prepared to enforce our rights.”
Misconceptions About Federal Remote Work
Kelley addressed misconceptions about the prevalence of remote work among federal employees.
“Rumors of widespread federal telework and remote work are simply untrue,” he said. Only 10% of federal workers operate remotely, and those with hybrid schedules spend over 60% of their time in the office, Kelley noted.
Benefits of Telework
Kelley defended remote work as a policy that benefits both employees and taxpayers. “We support telework where it delivers for both the taxpayers and the workers who serve them,” Kelley said. He highlighted telework’s role in:
Improving productivity and efficiency.
Ensuring continuity of government operations.
Enhancing disaster preparedness.
Assisting agencies in recruiting and retaining talent.
What’s Next?
The dispute sets the stage for a potential legal battle between the AFGE and the Trump administration. With remote work becoming a key issue in labor relations, the outcome could have lasting implications for federal employees and government workplace policies nationwide.
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