(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Today, House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Chief Deputy Whip, led 130 of their Democratic Colleagues on a letter opposing President Trump’s May 25 executive orders targeting federal workers. The Trump Administration is already taking action to undermine federal unions, eliminate longstanding protections, and undo existing contracts.

In their letter, the Members wrote: “We are writing to express our strong opposition to three Executive Orders you issued on May 25 that would undermine collective bargaining, union representation and whistleblower protections for federal workers.  We join with members of Congress on both sides of the aisles who are asking you to rescind those Orders, which we do not believe comply with existing law.”
 
The members went on to outline how important Federal workers are to communities nationwide, and how these Executive Orders will undermine their workplace rights and union representation and will open the door for discrimination and harassment.

The Members concluded in the letter by saying: “Again, we believe that the May 25 Executive Orders are unfair to federal workers and will greatly impede the mission of federal agencies to serve our constituents and our country.  We urge you to act immediately to rescind them.”
 
A full copy of the letter can be found here.

After sending the letter, Whip Hoyer and Rep. Schakowsky released the following statements:
  
“President Trump’s Executive Orders undermining our federal civilian workforce will be devastating for thousands of hardworking men and women across our nation, and I join with my colleagues in Congress in calling on the President to rescind these harmful actions,” said Whip Hoyer. “Our federal employees deserve better than a constant barrage of attacks by the Trump Administration. I thank Congresswoman Schakowsky for her commitment to this important issue.”

“Federal workers educate our children, keep us safe from harm, keep our air and water clean and keep our cities and towns strong,” said Rep. Schakowsky. “President Trump’s May 25 Executive Orders are a direct attack on Federal workers, union rights, and our communities. I’m proud to have so many of my Democratic colleagues join me in telling President Trump that these attacks on workers and unions cannot stand. I once again urge President Trump to rescind his latest attack on working men and women.”
 
Last week, Schakowsky and Hoyer hosted a roundtable discussion and press conference with public service union leaders and members in Chicago, where they responded to the Supreme Court’s anti-worker Janus decision.