U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono and Representative Donald Norcross have reintroduced the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act. This legislation seeks to guarantee the right of public sector employees to join unions, organize, and bargain collectively in states lacking these protections. The need for such measures has grown following a recent executive order by former President Trump that curtailed collective bargaining for federal workers.
"Public sector workers teach our children, protect our safety, and keep our communities moving forward—they deserve the right to organize," stated Senator Hirono. This act is intended to give federal protections to public sector workers, ensuring they have the ability to fight for fair wages, benefits, and improved working conditions.
Congressman Norcross, drawing on his background as a union electrician and co-chair of the Congressional Labor Caucus, emphasized the importance of collective bargaining, saying, "I spent decades at the negotiating table standing up for working families—fighting for fair pay, safer jobs, and better benefits like health care and retirement. This bill ensures public-sector workers across the country have that same right to a voice on the job and a seat at the table."
The legislation would establish baseline federal protections to allow public service workers to join a union and negotiate constructively, regardless of state laws. Unlike private sector workers, public sector employees currently lack federal law protection to join a union and negotiate for their employment terms.
Senator Alsobrooks highlighted the need for legislative protections amid attacks on union rights, stating, "Unions built the middle class... We need legislation to protect our public service employees... They deserve fair benefits and wages, safe working conditions, and the right to organize."
Blumenthal added, "The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act ensures that teachers, nurses, child welfare workers, firefighters, and so many others who serve our communities are afforded the same right to join a union as workers in the private sector."
Senator Blunt Rochester expressed concerns over federal employment practices: "At a moment when the Trump administration is indiscriminately firing federal employees across government, it is past time civil servants have the protections and benefits that private sector workers do."
Several other lawmakers also provided statements supporting the bill, emphasizing the importance of union rights for public sector workers. These include Senators Booker, Coons, Duckworth, Durbin, Gallego, Gillibrand, Kim, Luján, Markey, and many others.
AFSCME President Lee Saunders stressed the urgency, "This bill is about something fundamental: respect. Respect for the public service workers who’ve devoted their careers to serving their communities."
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler also underscored the necessity of the act, citing current laws banning bargaining for public workers in several states. "We need federal law to protect their rights to form a union and negotiate fair contracts."
The act is supported by several labor unions, including AFSCME, CWA, AFT, AFL-CIO, and others, highlighting a broad push for enhancing collective bargaining rights across the public sector. The text of the legislation is accessible for public review.