HHS Moves to Limit Federal Worker Union Rights

NEW YORK, Aug. 23, 2025 – Thousands of federal health agency employees are on the verge of losing their collective bargaining rights, a move the union representing them has deemed illegal.

The U.S. Department of health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed Friday it is ending its recognition of unions for a number of employees. The department is also reclaiming office space and equipment previously used for union activities. This decision impacts employees at agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Administration for Strategic preparedness and Response (ASPR), and the office of Refugee Resettlement.

This action marks the latest effort by the administration to curb collective bargaining for federal employees.Similar moves have previously impacted workers at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Environmental Protection Agency. In May, an appeals court allowed the administration to proceed with an executive order aimed at ending collective bargaining rights for hundreds of thousands of federal employees while related lawsuits continue. HHS officials maintain the changes will allow the department to better focus on its core mission of protecting public health.

Did you know? – Federal employee unions have existed for nearly 90 years, providing representation and advocacy for workers across various government agencies. Their role has evolved over time, but collective bargaining remains a key function.

The American Federation of Government employees (AFGE), which represents many of the affected workers, argues that strong union contracts do not impede effective responses to public health emergencies. Actually,the union stated,they contribute to a stable,experienced,and supported workforce. AFGE plans to continue legal challenges to the executive order, asserting it violates federal labor laws. The union contends the administration is attempting to dismantle protections for federal employees without legitimate justification.

Some CDC employees have found the union to be a vital source of facts and advocacy, especially during layoffs this year and following the aug. 8 attack at the CDC’s Atlanta campus. As the shooting, the union has been pushing for improvements to the agency’s emergency alert system and overall security measures.Employees express concern that losing collective bargaining power will diminish their voice in addressing safety and workplace issues.

Pro tip: – Federal employees retain the right to individually advocate for their working conditions, even without union representation. However, collective bargaining provides a unified voice and legal framework for negotiations.

The administration’s move comes amidst ongoing debate about the role of federal employee unions. Supporters of the executive order argue that unions can hinder agency adaptability and efficiency, while opponents maintain they are essential for protecting worker rights and ensuring a qualified workforce. the legal battles surrounding the order are expected to continue for months, potentially years, leaving the future of collective bargaining for federal health agency employees uncertain. The HHS has not specified a timeline for the full implementation of thes changes, but the reclaiming of office space signals an immediate start to the process.

Reader question: – How might the loss of collective bargaining rights affect morale and retention within these critical public health agencies? What are your thoughts?