Union of federal employees rejoices in initial victories against Trump administration, readying for enduring struggle ahead
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) held a conference in the nation's capital, with union leaders and members of Congress urging attendees to stand up for their rights and be in the fight against the perceived existential threat to public employees under the current administration.
AFGE National President Everett Kelley encouraged the gathering, emphasising the need for legal advocacy to counter the administration's actions. He also highlighted the union's recent achievement of reaching 321,000 dues-paying members, the highest in its history. The union aims to reach 325,000 members by the end of December 2025, and they anticipate reaching this goal by the end of the current week.
Sen. Tim Kaine stated that democracy needs activism now more than ever, while Rep. Jamie Raskin quoted Thomas Paine, encouraging attendees to "hang tight." Raskin also referenced the difficulty of conquering tyranny but assured a glorious victory in the end.
Conference speakers expressed readiness for protracted battles with the administration over federal employee issues. They highlighted initial court wins, such as the temporary pause of the deferred resignations program for federal workers, and the mass placement on leave of U.S. Agency for International Development employees.
Lawmakers stressed the importance of mobilising public opinion to counter the administration's efforts to remove federal employees en masse. Some congressional Democrats see the March 14 deadline to avert a government shutdown as an opportunity to negotiate reversals of the administration's actions.
No mention was made of government shutdown negotiations or deadlines in this conference. However, AFGE officials expressed concern about the potential harm to services for the American people if the government shuts down.
The conference also did not mention Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency or any specific names of concrete members of Congress who participate in and support the conference. Nevertheless, the event served as a rallying cry for federal employees, encouraging them to stand up for their rights and be part of the fight for their future.
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