Worker Policy Watch
Your source for accurate and reliable information on how federal policies are shaping workers’ rights—and what’s at stake for working people nationwide under the Trump administration.
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Chief Justice of the Supreme Court puts a hold on reinstatement of Wilcox and Harris
The stay gives the Court time to take up the merits of the case, which will also be argued before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Impact:
As long as the stay is in effect, the NLRB lacks a quorum and the MSPB has only two members.
D.C. Circuit Court Reinstates Gwynne Wilcox to the National Labor Relations Board and Cathy Harris to the Merit Systems Protection Board
The U.S. Court of Appeals for Washington, D.C. ruled that Trump’s firing of Wilcox from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and Harris from the MSPB were unlawful and reinstates her, setting up a potential battle with the Supreme Court.
Impact:
With Wilcox reinstated, the NLRB now has a statutory quorum of three members and can operate. However, Judge Karen Henderson in her opinion offered that only the Supreme Court can ultimately settle the dispute between Wilcox and the Trump administration.
Trump Picks Former Congressman for Labor Inspector General
Former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, a Republican from New York who recently lost re-election amidst controversy over unethical conduct, is Trump’s pick for labor inspector general (IG).
Impact:
Trump’s pick of former Rep. D’Esposito as labor IG comes after Trump fired Larry Turner along with a dozen other agency IGs in a clear attempt to insulate the Trump administration from any independent oversight or accountability.
Trump Nominates Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division Leader and Labor Solicitor
Trump has nominated EEOC Acting General Counsel Andrew Rogers as head of the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) and conservative attorney Jonathan Berry as labor solicitor.
Impact:
Andrew Rogers previously worked in the WHD during Trump’s first administration. Jonathan Berry co-authored the Trump administration’s blueprint Project 2025.
Trump Admin Files Lawsuit To End Union Contracts for Some Federal Workers
The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) to invalidate existing employment contracts with some federal workers and federal agencies in another attempt to more easily fire workers.
Impact:
The lawsuit asks Trump-appointed District Judge Alan Albright to rescind some collective bargaining agreements in order to give Trump and the executive branch more control over federal agencies. Much of the federal workforce has been unionized for decades and approximately 32 percent of public sector workers are members of unions.
Trump Administration Cancels $500 Million in Grants Designed to Combat Child Labor, Trafficking, and Forced Labor
The Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) was ordered to cease all grantmaking, being told that it no longer aligned with agency priorities or the national interest.
Impact:
ILAB makes these grants not just to protect workers abroad, but also to make sure that foreign based work doesn't have an unfair advantage over goods produced in the United States.
Trump Signs an Executive Order to Close the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
The FMCS works with employers, workers and unions to reach consensus and avoid strikes, impasses, and litigation during labor disputes.
Impact:
Experts have long praised the cost-effective services that the FMCS provides in helping to maintain labor peace and successful resolution of labor disputes.
Trump Administration Mandates that Federal Agencies Detail the Costs of Negotiating Collective Bargaining Agreements with Federal Sector Unions
The administration continues its attack on the legally and duly certified federal sector unions who help make sure that public servants have good terms and conditions of work.
Impact: The information gained could be used, without providing appropriate context, to make the case that agencies should not bargain with federal sector unions any longer, which would be illegal.
DOGE Announces the Cancellation of Leases for Field Offices Across the Country for the EEOC, OSHA, MSHA, Office of Workers Compensation, and Wage and Hour Division
Field offices, especially in more remote parts of the U.S., are where the bulk of complaints of discrimination, unsafe working conditions, unpaid wages, and workplace injuries are filed.
Impact:
Closing these field offices will mean that workers in these regions will have to file their complaints on line and won't be able to get assistance from trained investigators and counselors in doing so. Complaints will be less complete, and many will probably give up even trying to file on line, especially if they are visually impaired or older. This will allow employers to get away with more illegal behavior.
NLRB Abandons Defending the Law Barring Trump from Firing Board Members
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is abandoning its defense of a law that barred the president from removing board appointees at will, trying to giveTrump more control over the NLRB.
Impact:
The NLRB is an independent federal agency charged with the power to safeguard employees' rights to organize, engage with one another to seek better working conditions, and collectively bargaining. The abandonment of defending a law meant to maintain neutrality at the NLRB is another example of the Trump administration seeking maximum control over independent federal agencies.