Attorney General Kwame Raoul, joining forces with a group of 23 state attorneys general, has taken a stand to affirm the rights of federal employees. In an amicus brief supporting the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the coalition asserts federal workers' rights to collective bargaining and free speech. This comes on the heels of a dispute instigated by President Trump's executive order, which aimed to limit the bargaining power of federal employees on the pretext of national security.
On March 27, President Trump signed an executive order, which effectively sought to strip most federal employees of their collective bargaining rights—a move later justified as a response to certain labor unions deemed "hostile" by the administration. The AFGE pushed back with a lawsuit, managing to secure a preliminary injunction from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California to halt the executive order—an action currently under appeal by the Trump Administration.
Celebrating Labor Day, Raoul emphasized his commitment to workers' rights, stating, "I am proud to support the rights of federal workers to collective bargain and to exercise their right to free speech." His remarks reflect a wider advocacy for labor rights beyond Illinois, resonating across the nation. The coalition's amicus brief, according to the Illinois Attorney General's office, champions the district court's initial decision, arguing the federal government's actions are punitive and breach the First Amendment.
In support of the AFGE, Attorney General Raoul and his counterparts are sending a clear message: workers' rights to assemble, discuss, and negotiate terms are foundational to the democratic tethers of the nation. The collective group of attorneys general hails from states as diverse as Arizona, California, Colorado, and many others—forming a legal front in opposition to measures they believe could undercut the fabric of labor rights in America.
