President Donald J. Trump has issued an executive order excluding certain U.S. government agencies and subdivisions from federal labor-management relations programs. This decision, as stated, aims to enhance national security.
The executive order identifies agencies where primary functions include intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative, or national security work. "It is hereby determined that Chapter 71 of title 5, United States Code, cannot be applied to these agencies and agency subdivisions in a manner consistent with national security requirements and considerations," the order states.
The listed entities include major departments such as the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and various agencies under other departments like Homeland Security and Energy. Subdivisions within the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Transportation are also included.
Executive Order 12171, amended by the new directive, now includes further exclusions such as "the Department of the Treasury, except the Bureau of Engraving and Printing," and "the Nuclear Regulatory Commission."
The order also addresses subdivisions employing Foreign Service officers, excluding them from certain statutory coverage. For both the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs, the order provides some delegation of authority to reinstate labor relations coverage for certain subdivisions with presidential approval and under specific national security certifications.
Additionally, the Secretary of Transportation is granted authority to exclude any subdivision from federal labor-management relations when necessary; this applies particularly in managing installations outside of the U.S.
The order shall be implemented in line with existing laws, as stated: "This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations." It includes provisions to prevent the creation of new enforceable rights against the United States or its agencies.
The White House emphasized the order's role in aligning labor-management relations within certain government sectors with national security imperatives.
Donald J. Trump,
THE WHITE HOUSE, March 27, 2025.
