House Passes Bipartisan Bill to Restore Federal Workers’ Collective Bargaining Rights

On December 11, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 231-195 to pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act (PAWA) — bipartisan legislation that would restore collective bargaining rights for more than one million federal employees.

The bill, introduced by Representatives Jared Golden (R-ME) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), would rescind the executive orders President Trump issued in March and August 2025 that banned collective bargaining for most of the federal workforce. Every member of the Democratic caucus cosponsored the bill, joined by enough Republicans to secure passage.

AFGE National President Everett Kelley called it a “seismic victory” and urged swift action in the Senate: “We need to build on this seismic victory in the House and get immediate action in the Senate. And also ensure that any future budget bills similarly protect collective bargaining rights for the largely unseen civil servants who keep our government running.”

The bill now moves to the Senate, where AFGE is pushing for a vote. Republican Senators have also cosponsored the companion legislation.

Why It Matters for Local 2328

This bill exists because of what happened to you. The executive orders that stripped collective bargaining rights affected every AFGE bargaining unit in the country — including Local 2328 at the Hampton VA.

The House vote proves that protecting federal workers isn’t a partisan issue. Workers in both parties’ districts depend on a functioning civil service. Your coworkers in Hampton Roads — processing veterans’ claims, providing healthcare, maintaining facilities — deserve the right to negotiate their working conditions.

Action needed: Contact Virginia’s Senators and urge them to vote YES on PAWA. Call, email, show up. The House did its job. Now the Senate needs to do theirs.

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