Prospect expresses solidarity with union colleagues overseas in the face of attacks on trade union rights

Following last week’s news of President Trump signing an executive order to ban collective bargaining for nearly 1 million US federal workers, General Secretary Mike Clancy and Prospect President Ele Wade have written to US unions representing federal workers to express solidarity.  

These include the National Federation of Federal Employees, the American Federation of Government Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. 

Prospect represents tens of thousands of public sector workers in the UK, and extends heartfelt solidarity and unwavering support for our colleagues and sister unions, in the face of such blatant attacks on workers’ fundamental union rights.  

The right to organise and negotiate is a cornerstone of democracy that grants workers agency over the terms of their employment – eliminating collective bargaining is a direct assault on the core principles of the union movement among other attacks.  

This executive order is deeply concerning, and threatens to undermine union and democratic progress worldwide. Such actions echo long standing attempts to silence workers and deny them the means to negotiate fair wages and working conditions.  

Prospect stands in solidarity with our colleagues and sister unions overseas against this attack on trade unions. We will continue to advocate for the protection and expansion of collective bargaining rights, and stand by our union colleagues in remaining united in the face of these challenges.  

Read Mike Clancy’s recent piece for Civil Service World, on Trump’s attacks on American public services.