Maine AFL-CIO Applauds Senator Collins Vote to Restore Federal Workers Collective Bargaining Rights

The Maine AFL-CIO applauds Sen. Collins recent vote to restore the collective bargaining rights of federal workers.  Last week Senator Susan Collins was one of two Republicans to vote in support of an amendment, sponsored by Sen. Angela Alsobrooks’ (D-Md.), that would have protected collective bargaining for federal workers. She was joined by fellow Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) in supporting the amendment, which went down to defeat on a vote of 51-48 in the  Senate.

"Federal workers care for our veterans, ensure social security checks arrive on time, keep our food safe, support our armed forces and ensure the safety of airways. They deserve the fundamental right to have a voice on the job. We appreciate Senator Collins support for this important amendment and we look forward to working together to restore collective bargaining rights for federal workers," said Matt Schlobohm, Executive Director of the Maine AFL-CIO.

Last month, President Donald signed an executive order to outlaw collective bargaining for nearly a million federal workers, citing a little-used provision of federal labor law relating to national security issues.  The President’s edict eliminates collective bargaining for nearly 75 percent of federal workers who are currently represented by unions, including  workers at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the Togus VA Medical Center, the Defense Financing Accounting Services (DFAS) in Limestone, SUPSHIP Bath at BIW and other federal workplaces in Maine.

The amendment would have prohibited attacks on Federal employees by protecting legally binding collective bargaining agreements and the right to organize.