President Trump’s and unelected billionaire Elon Musk’s attacks on our democracy are becoming more frequent every day, and they’re already beginning to hit close to home here in New Jersey.
The Leases of 14 Federal Buildings have been Canceled by the Trump Administration
Recently, The Trump administration canceled leases for 14 federal office buildings in New Jersey, in the latest of devasting nationwide cuts to the federal budget initiated by the Department of Government Efficiency.
The leases terminated include New Jersey federal offices for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal Highway Administration, Food and Drug Administration and Bureau of Labor Statistics. To view the list of all 14 leases in New Jersey, along with where they are located, building size, annual lease cost and total savings reported by DOGE, click here to see the data compiled by USA Today.
The Department of Homeland Security to End the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Employees at the Transportation Security Administration
Impacting tens of thousands of frontline employees in AFGE at the Department of Homeland Security, the DHS said that it will end the collective bargaining agreement with the employees at the Transportation Security Administration.
In a statement, AFGE National President Everett Kelley called the decision an “unprovoked attack” on unions.
A clearly retaliatory action against unions that reflects President Trump’s anti-worker record, this decision will affect 47,000 Transportation Security Officers at over 400 airports across the country, many of whom are veterans.
Several years ago, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO was instrumental in assisting AFGE in organizing the TSA workers. Ensuring that air travel is safe and risk free, Transportation Security Officers play an essential role in protecting their country. Each of these invaluable workers deserves the right to join a union.
Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service Ends Card Check
Last week, the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service, which resolves workplace conflicts, halted the facilitation of an easy process for unionization, known as card check. This process involves employers agreeing to recognize and negotiate with a union once a majority of employees sign up. Card Check provides an alternative to secret ballot elections, which can result in contentious campaigning and allegations of anti-union coercion or retaliation, followed by legal appeals by the losing side.
As a result, this decision effectively creates more barriers to unionizing, a goal that was clearly outlined in President Trump’s Project 2025 Agenda.
The True Cost of the Trump Administration and DOGE Attacks
As the White House and the Department of Government Efficiency continue to fire thousands of workers, in the name of “large-scale reductions in force” and freeze trillions of dollars in federal grant funds, we will continue to provide updates on how many of our members have been impacted by President Trump’s executive orders, anti-worker legislation and mass layoffs. To see how many federal workers have been fired or laid off by department, click here.
As President Trump’s attacks continue, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO remains committed to standing strong in solidarity, as we fight on behalf of all working families.