Trump’s Attacks on Federal Workers Are Attacks on Black Workers. The Labor Movement Is Fighting Back.

September 24, 2025

President Trump's administration has implemented severe measures against federal workers, removing approximately 300,000 employees (1 in 8) in the largest single-year reduction since World War II. In March, the administration stripped nearly one million federal workers of collective bargaining rights, followed by canceling union contracts for about 450,000 workers across multiple departments before Labor Day. These actions disproportionately impact Black Americans, who make up nearly 20% of the federal workforce compared to 12% of the civilian workforce overall.

Who is affected

Approximately 300,000 federal workers who have lost their jobs
Nearly one million federal workers who lost collective bargaining rights
About 450,000 workers at the departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, and the Environmental Protection Agency who had their union contracts canceled
Black Americans, who constitute nearly 20% of the federal workforce (and up to 25% in some agencies)
Black women, who make up 12% of federal workers (double their share of the overall workforce)
Southern states, particularly Georgia, where Black workers comprise 35-45% of the federal workforce
All Americans who rely on government services provided by these workers

What action is being taken

Federal workers are organizing to join and remain part of their unions despite the administration's union-busting
Affected workers are speaking out and sharing their stories about the importance of their jobs and contracts
The labor movement is fighting to pass the Protect America's Workforce Act to overturn Trump's executive orders
Representatives and senators from both parties are sponsoring legislation to protect federal workers
Labor advocates are urging members of Congress to sign a discharge petition to send the bill directly to the House floor for a vote

Why it matters

The reduction represents the largest single-year cut to federal employment since World War II
These cuts threaten to reverse decades of progress for Black Americans in achieving middle-class stability through government employment
Government services that ensure food and water safety, environmental protection, public health emergency response, veteran care, and disaster monitoring are at risk
Black unemployment has risen significantly (6.7% for women, 7.1% for men) to levels not seen since the pandemic
Federal jobs have historically provided stable career paths for Black Americans since desegregation efforts began in 1948
The effects of these cuts extend nationwide, as more than 90% of federal workers live outside Washington, DC

What's next

The bipartisan Protect America's Workforce Act, introduced by Representatives Jared Golden (D-Maine-02) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.-01) with 221 additional co-sponsors, may proceed to a House vote
The Senate version of the legislation, recently introduced by Senators Mark Warner, Chris Van Hollen, and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, will move through the legislative process
The labor movement will continue organizing resistance to the administration's policies affecting federal workers

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint