Washington, D.C. – Today, the Metal Trades Department, AFL-CIO, joined a coalition of labor organizations in filing a lawsuit against the Trump Administration to challenge Executive Order No. 14251, which strips most federal workers of their collective bargaining rights. This unprecedented and sweeping action undermines decades of stable and mutually beneficial labor-management relationships and threatens the livelihoods of thousands of hardworking Americans.
Edward Jones, President of the Metal Trades Department, issued the following statement:
The Trump Administration’s Executive Order is a direct attack on the rights of federal workers who have faithfully served this nation for decades. By falsely invoking ‘national security’ as a pretext, this administration has chosen to dismantle collective bargaining protections that have been in place for over 50 years—protections that have never interfered with national security, even during times of war and crisis.
This Executive Order is not about security; it is about silencing the voices of workers who dare to stand up for their rights. It is a blatant violation of the Constitution, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the principles of fairness and equality that this country was built upon.
The Metal Trades Department has proudly represented trades workers at federal facilities across the nation, including the Department of Defense and the U.S. Coast Guard, for decades. These workers have contributed to the safety, security, and prosperity of our nation, and they deserve better than to have their rights stripped away by political gamesmanship.
We will not stand idly by while this administration attempts to dismantle the rights of the men and women who keep our country running. This lawsuit is a fight for justice, for fairness, and for the dignity of every federal worker. We are confident that the courts will see this Executive Order for what it is: an unconstitutional and unjustified assault on workers’ rights
The Metal Trades Department remains committed to protecting the rights of union members and ensuring that their voices are heard. We will continue to fight for the collective bargaining protections that safeguard the public interest and strengthen our nation’s workforce.
###
and then