As unionists, we believe all workers should have the power to bargain collectively, redress grievances and fight for a safe workplace. In two executive orders issued last year, President Donald Trump issued an all-out assault on federal employees by stripping more than a million of them of their collective bargaining rights. With the bipartisan Protect America’s Workforce Act making its way through Congress, federal workers would regain solid footing and have more power to fight the president’s union-busting. The legislation passed the House in December and was awaiting Senate action at press time.

Since Trump issued his executive orders — one in March and one in August — more than 320,000 federal workers have left government service, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

Federal employees’ collective bargaining rights have been less robust than those of many other unionists because they cannot strike or negotiate over pay and benefits. But all workers have a right to a safe workplace and protections against unfair treatment. We urge senators to pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act.