OPM to Labor Groups: Don’t Interfere with Layoffs

The Trump Administration wants to limit the influence of federal labor unions in the upcoming federal layoffs. 

In new guidance, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) told agencies to effectively ignore any provisions in collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) that would interfere with the planned Reductions in Force (RIFs). 

“Any CBA provisions that are inconsistent with OPM regulations or that excessively interfere with management’s rights to ‘determine the organization’ and the ‘number of employees’ of the agency, as well as ‘layoff, and retain employees in the agency’ are unenforceable,” wrote OPM Acting Director Charles Ezell. 

OPM says agencies cannot send information to unions about layoffs, unless it clears a high bar. 

“Satisfying this burden requires more than conclusory or bare assertions. It is not satisfied merely by showing that the requested information would be relevant or useful,” wrote Acting Director Ezell. “Rather, the union must articulate its need for all information requested.”

Initial RIF plans were due from agencies by March 13. The second phase of plans are due to OPM on April 14. 

Labor Groups Warn OPM 

The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) is among the labor groups firing back over the guidance. With layoffs planned at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) during and following tax season, NTEU President Doreen Greenwald warned the IRS to abide by its CBA.

“Any action by the IRS seeking to comply with the OMB and OPM guidance … including failing to provide notice to NTEU or affording it the opportunity to negotiate over any RIF; failing to offer the mitigation strategies to impacted employees; and conducting any RIF by Sept. 30 of this year or sooner, would violate article 19 of the parties’ 2022 national agreement,” wrote Greenwald in a  March 14 letter to IRS leadership.

Costs of Federal Sector Bargaining

This comes as the administration takes broader action to cut down on the influence of federal labor unions. 

OPM recently began tallying the cost of federal sector collective bargaining. By April 18, 2025, agencies are ordered to provide a list of fees and expenses related to such activities, such as fees and travel expenses. 

“Existing evidence suggests these costs may be substantial,” stated an OPM memo.

OPM earlier asked agencies to provide the names and job titles of all employees who are spending any of their work hours on official time.