The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is urging the U.S. Senate to pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act (H.R. 2550, S. 2837), following its recent bipartisan approval in the House of Representatives by a vote of 231-195.
The proposed legislation seeks to restore collective bargaining rights for federal employees who lost those rights due to a recent executive order affecting about 75 percent of the federal workforce. The bill was introduced in the House by Representatives Jared Golden (D-Maine) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), while Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) introduced the companion measure in the Senate, which currently has 48 cosponsors, including two Republicans.
In a letter addressed to senators, IAM International President Brian Bryant stated: “The IAM is a strong advocate for workers’ rights and firmly believes this EO is blatantly illegal. This EO is an assault on the rights and job security for federal workers caring for our veterans, keeping our military ready, adjudicating passport applications, caring for our public lands, and performing countless other essential public services.”
IAM maintains that the executive order undermines collective bargaining rights that have traditionally provided workplace protections and supported efficient delivery of public services. The union represents thousands of federal employees nationwide through affiliates such as the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM), which represents around 110,000 federal workers.
According to IAM, the bipartisan support in the House reflects increasing momentum to reverse what it describes as an unjust removal of collective bargaining rights from federal workers. The organization is calling on senators to approve the Protect America’s Workforce Act promptly in order to maintain fairness and stability within the federal workforce.
