Federal health authorities plan to withdraw union protections for countless health workers on a national level

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has made a controversial move by stripping thousands of its federal health agency employees of their collective bargaining rights. This decision has been met with criticism from labor unions and employee advocacy groups, who have labelled it as illegal.

According to reports, the HHS has ended its recognition of unions for a number of its employees. The affected civil servants, who are public sector employees subject to collective agreements, typically including teachers, police officers, and other government workers, are relieved of their collective bargaining rights.

The HHS has not provided a specific reason for this move. However, it is part of a broader trend of restricting collective bargaining in federal agencies, as the Trump administration continues to put an end to collective bargaining with unions that represent federal employees.

The HHS union has called the move by the department illegal and is facing ongoing legal challenges from the union. The decision is expected to have a significant impact on the representation and negotiation of employee rights within the agency.

In addition to ending union recognition, the HHS is reclaiming office space and equipment that had been used for union activities. The department officials have confirmed this action, and it is expected that the affected employees will no longer have access to these resources for union activities.

The Trump administration's latest action targets unions representing federal employees beyond just the HHS. This move is part of a broader effort to limit the power of unions and their ability to negotiate on behalf of employees.

The HHS union has not yet specified the exact number of employees affected by the latest move. However, it is clear that this decision will impact a significant number of employees within the department.

The move by the HHS to strip employees of their collective bargaining rights is facing criticism from all corners, and it remains to be seen how this will play out in the courts and within the agency itself.