Maybe a stupid question but what's to stop the union(s) from striking to prevent this from happening? Even if it's a wildcat strike I bet if enough services shut down people will complain and get the administration to stop doing this. Isn't that the whole point of collective bargaining? If someone threatens your group you take collective action to stop the threat.
- Mostly the not unfounded fear that the current government will just fire everyone and cease what they were doing entirely
  
  The AFGE covers every sector of government doesn't it? If every local union walks out there isn't much that can get done. I doubt they can fire everyone. That's the beauty of collective bargaining. It's why the trash workers stop working if the postal workers need better working conditions in other countries.
- Striking is a self-destruct button for their careers.
  Specifically, 5 U.S.C. §7311, specifies that federal employees may not participate in a strike, assert the right to strike, or even belong to a union that “asserts the right to strike against the government of the United States.” Driving the point home, 18 U.S.C. §1918 makes it a felony to strike against the United States or belong to a union that asserts the right to strike against the United States. What’s more, the Office of Personnel Management can declare an individual who participates in a strike unsuitable for federal employment. Forever. (Source)
  
  So the union is a "pretty please"

7 comments