The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest union representing federal workers, is planning to lay off more than half of its staff due to President Donald Trump's efforts to end collective bargaining rights for many federal employees. This downsizing will reduce the union's workforce from 355 to about 150 employees, impacting organizers, national representatives, and support staff. The layoffs are expected to occur as early as June and are a result of a significant financial blow caused by an executive order that halted payroll deductions for union dues, a primary source of union funding. Despite the setbacks, AFGE remains determined to continue fighting against these measures, having already filed multiple lawsuits and organized protests nationwide. A federal judge has temporarily paused the executive order, but its long-term impact on AFGE's plans remains unclear.

AFGE, representing over 800,000 federal staffers, is set to lay off more than half its employees, reducing its workforce from 355 to about 150 due to the Trump administration's actions against federal unions.

The union's financial challenges stem from an executive order stopping payroll deductions for union dues, which are crucial for funding; AFGE is encouraging members to use an alternative E-Dues system.

A federal judge temporarily paused the executive order after a lawsuit from the National Treasury Employees Union, but the impact of this ruling on AFGE's planned layoffs is not yet determined.

Since Trump's presidency began, AFGE has seen an increase in membership but has also faced significant challenges as over 100,000 government jobs have been cut, with more reductions expected.

AFGE has been actively opposing the administration through lawsuits and protests, targeting actions like the firing of probationary workers and the stripping of collective bargaining rights.

The union maintains a defiant stance against the administration's efforts, insisting that the layoffs and loss of dues are setbacks but not the end of their advocacy and fight for workers' rights.

The executive order signed by Trump in March aimed to strip collective bargaining rights from many government employees, which the administration claims is necessary for national security, though unions argue it targets those opposing Trump's policies.