Executive Orders March 28, 2025 by President Donald J. Trump

Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs

Summary

This executive order, issued on March 27, 2025, by President Trump, aims to exclude specific agencies and subdivisions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs. It amends Executive Order 12171 to broaden national security exclusions and foreign service exclusions. The order delegates authority to Secretaries of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Transportation to suspend labor-management relations statutes under certain conditions.

Expected Effects

The order will likely lead to a reduction in the scope of collective bargaining within the federal government, particularly in agencies deemed to have primary functions related to national security. This could result in altered workplace conditions and potentially reduced influence of labor unions within affected agencies. The delegation of authority to specific secretaries allows for more tailored exclusions based on their assessment of national security and operational needs.

Potential Benefits 3/5

- Enhanced national security by allowing agencies to operate without labor constraints.
- Increased flexibility for the Department of Transportation to adapt to new technologies.
- Streamlined agency operations by reducing administrative burdens associated with labor disputes.
- Improved efficiency in agencies where collective bargaining is deemed incompatible with their mission.
- Potential for quicker responses to emerging threats and national security concerns.

Most Benefited Areas:

National Security & Defense ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Public Safety & Crime Reduction ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Potential Disadvantages

- Reduced labor rights and worker protections for federal employees in affected agencies.
- Potential for decreased employee morale and job satisfaction due to limited collective bargaining.
- Increased risk of unfair labor practices and grievances without adequate union representation.
- Possible erosion of transparency and accountability in agency decision-making.
- Could lead to legal challenges from labor unions and affected employees.

Most Disadvantaged Areas:

Labor Rights & Worker Conditions ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Social Equity & Poverty Reduction ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Individual Liberties, Rights & Privacy ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Constitutional Alignment 3/5

The executive order cites the President's authority under the Constitution and specific statutes (5 U.S.C. 7103(b)(1) and 22 U.S.C. 4103(b)). The Constitution grants the President executive power, which is often interpreted to include the management of the executive branch. However, the extent to which this power can override statutory labor protections is subject to debate.

The order's impact on individual liberties, particularly the right to organize and collectively bargain, could raise concerns under the First Amendment (right to assembly and petition). The order does not appear to violate any specific constitutional provision directly, but its implementation could be challenged based on its impact on employee rights and the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to citizens. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).