Congressional Delegations Call Out Feds for Ignoring Unfair Labor Practices at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Last week, the Maine and New Hampshire Congressional delegations sent a letter to the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) asking for an explanation for its refusal to comply with recent court orders and process an Unfair Labor Practice charge (ULP) filed by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Metal Trades Council on behalf of its members. In their bipartisan, bicameral letter, the lawmakers note that FLRA cites President Trump’s Executive Order limiting the collective bargaining rights of federal employees as its reason for inaction despite a court order halting implementation of the policy. U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Susan Collins (ME), Maggie Hassan (NH), and Angus King (ME) and Representatives Maggie Goodlander (D-NH-02), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), and Jared Golden (D-ME-02) signed the letter.
“We write today regarding the Federal Labor Relations Authority’s (FLRA) refusal to process Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charges filed by members of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Metal Trades Council (MTC) on behalf of its members,” the delegations wrote. “The MTC has brought forward a ULP charge to the FLRA but has been informed that due to President Trump’s March 27, 2025, Executive Order 14251, limiting the right of certain federal employees to engage in collective bargaining, the FLRA would not process the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard employee ULP case. However, recent court rulings have nullified portions of that order, and the FLRA should be acting in accordance with the court order.”
“Considering the Court’s injunction and the importance of this issue to our constituents," they continued, "we respectfully request that the FLRA provide prompt clarification regarding its handling of ULP filings brought forward by unions representing workers under federal agencies impacted by President Trump’s March 27, 2025, Executive Order 14251.”
The lawmakers asked FLRA for responses to the following questions:
- Is the Federal Labor Relations Authority refusing to process Unfair Labor Practice charges brought forward by unions representing federal workers?
- Is the FLRA acting in accordance with the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia’s October 1st injunction in AFL-CIO v. Trump? What steps is the FLRA taking to ensure compliance with the injunction?
- What is the status of the ULP charge brought forward by the Metal Trades Council at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard?
- What is the legal basis for the FLRA’s refusal to process ULP charges in light of the court’s October 1st injunction?
A full copy of the letter can be read HERE.