Trump’s Bold Move: Lifting Biden’s Labor Agreements

FIRST ON FOX: President Donald Trump is poised to sign a memo on Friday that will dismantle the collective bargaining agreements established by former President Joe Biden just before he left office. According to sources at Fox News Digital, this decision reflects Trump’s ongoing commitment to reshape federal policies.

The Direction of Federal Agencies

The forthcoming memo serves as a directive for federal agencies, instructing them to reject any last-minute collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) that Biden’s administration enacted. White House officials assert that these agreements were strategically designed to bind the incoming Trump administration, thus impeding potential reforms aimed at rejuvenating government operations.

A 30-Day Block on New Agreements

One key provision of the new memo is the prohibition of new collective bargaining agreements during the final 30 days of a presidential term. Consequently, federal agency heads will be mandated to disapprove any CBAs that were finalized by Biden in this critical window. However, the White House clarified that agreements executed prior to this thirty-day period will remain effective as negotiations for better deals begin under the Trump administration.

Pushing Back Against Remote Work Policies

In December 2024, amidst the heated political atmosphere, Biden’s Social Security Administration Commissioner, Martin O’Malley, reached an understanding with the American Federation of Government Employees. This agreement allowed the agency’s 42,000 employees to bypass returning to the office—a move now under scrutiny and subject to repeal under Trump’s directives.

The White House emphasized that the new policy is a reflection of the outcomes the American public endorsed at the polls. In their view, it ensures that citizens are not saddled with what they describe as “wasteful and ineffective Biden policies.”

Past Agreements Under Fire

Detailed in a fact sheet acquired by Fox News Digital, the White House criticized the last-minute CBAs negotiated by the outgoing Biden administration, asserting they were designed merely to tie the hands of the incoming leadership. Specific examples highlighted included agreements from the Department of Education, which restricted the return of remote employees, and similar arrangements with bodies such as the Small Business Administration and the Federal Trade Commission.

The fact sheet noted, “These CBAs attempt to prevent President Trump from implementing his promises to the American people,” especially regarding the return of federal employees to their offices to enhance government efficiency. The memo also establishes a lasting precedent that prohibits outgoing presidents from enacting same-day agreements that could undermine incoming administrations.

Adapting to Private Sector Standards

Furthermore, Trump’s memo aims at aligning the operational methodologies of federal agencies with those of private sector unions and employers. The White House Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has already initiated a push towards mandatory in-person work for federal employees, barring exceptions for medical reasons.

New Options for Federal Employees

This week, OPM extended an offer to the entire federal workforce, presenting them with an option for a “deferred resignation.” Employees who choose not to return to in-person work will have until September 30 to resign and will receive full pay and benefits up until that date. The window for decisions is open until February 6, adding urgency to the situation for federal employees considering their options.

Challenges Ahead

However, not all federal workers are afforded this option. Employees in critical roles such as postal workers, military immigration officials, and national security operatives are excluded from this arrangement, highlighting a division among federal roles.

The Road Ahead

As President Trump prepares to make this pivotal decision, it is clear that the fallout from this memo will extend beyond the confines of government offices. The changes could signal a significant shift in labor dynamics within federal agencies, echoing broader themes of governance and employee rights in a changing political landscape.

The incoming directives are expected to resonate through various sectors, reshaping not only the federal workforce but also influencing perceptions around government efficiency and public service. As unions brace for potential battles over these changes, the nation watches to see how this unfolding story will impact everyday citizens and federal employees alike.