NEW YORK — The U.S. Division of Well being and Human Providers has moved to strip hundreds of federal well being company workers of their collective bargaining rights, in response to a union that referred to as the trouble unlawful.
HHS officers confirmed Friday that the division is ending its recognition of unions for a variety of workers, and are reclaiming workplace house and tools that had been used for union actions.
It’s the most recent transfer by the Trump administration to place an finish to collective bargaining with unions that characterize federal workers. Beforehand affected businesses embrace the Division of Veterans Affairs and the Environmental Safety Company.
In Could, an appeals courtroom stated the administration might transfer ahead with President Donald Trump’s government order aimed toward ending collective bargaining rights for lots of of hundreds of federal workers whereas a lawsuit performs out.
“This motion ensures that HHS sources and personnel are absolutely centered on safeguarding the well being and safety of the American individuals,” HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon stated in an announcement.
Officers with the American Federation of Authorities Workers stated robust union contracts don’t hinder robust responses to public well being emergencies. Moderately, they assist make businesses just like the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention have a steady, skilled and supported workforce, the union stated.
Some CDC workers stated the union has been a supply of knowledge and advocacy for the company’s workers throughout layoffs this yr and within the wake of the Aug. 8 assault on the CDC’s most important campus in Atlanta.
Since then, the union has been making an attempt to advocate for a greater emergency alert system and higher safety.
Different affected businesses embrace the Meals and Drug Administration, the Nationwide Institutes of Well being, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, and on the Workplace of Refugee Resettlement inside the Administration for Kids and Households.
— Mike Stobbe
