05/06/2026
The Department of Defense (DoD) has sent shockwaves through the federal workforce following a sweeping directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. In early April, DoD components were ordered to terminate most collective bargaining agreements on extremely short notice.
This move marks a significant shift in labor relations, impacting hundreds of thousands of civilian employees.
What’s Happening?
The cancellations are tied to Executive Orders 14251 and 14343, issued in 2025. These orders cite national security interests and the reduction of waste and fraud as the primary justifications for stripping bargaining rights from a large portion of the federal workforce.
Who is affected? Most civilian employees within the DoD, specifically those represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).
Who is exempt? Bargaining units within the Federal Wage System.
Legal Pushback: Some unions, such as the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, have already secured preliminary injunctions to block the implementation.
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