Trump Administration Terminates Collective Bargaining Rights for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Unions

The Trump administration has terminated collective bargaining agreements with two unions representing several hundred workers at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The two impacted unions are the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and the American Federation of Government Employees. The action stems from an executive order issued last year by President Donald Trump targeting federal workers, including PNSY employees. Last Friday, the Department of Defense informed the two unions that it would no longer engage in collective bargaining with them.

"As President of the Portsmouth Federal Employees Metal Trades Council, I am extremely disturbed, and frankly alarmed, by the termination of union contracts for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and AFGE at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard," said Metal Trades Council President Alana Schaeffer. "Let me be clear: this is not just about two unions. This is about the future of every worker on that waterfront. When contracts are stripped from one group of workers, it sends a message to all of us- that stability, protections, and worker voice are optional. That is a dangerous path, and one we cannot accept."

Schaeffer said the union contracts protect workers, keep the workplace safe and ensure accountability for both sides. She said shredding union contracts not only creates uncertainty, but also t weakens morale, threatens employee retention and puts the long-term mission at risk.

"You cannot boast about first time quality while destabilizing the very people responsible for delivering it," she continued. "If this can happen to the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and AFGE today, it can happen to any of us tomorrow. That is why solidarity is not optional, it is essential. On behalf of the Metal Trades Council, we stand shoulder to shoulder with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and AFGE and their members. We will not stand by while our brothers and sisters are put in this position."

AFGE National vice president David Gonzalez told Maine Public that the union is considering a legal challenge after winning court injunctions to protect other groups of federal workers from similar actions.