A recent executive order signed by President Donald Trump has removed federal labor-management protections for employees at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), eliminating their collective bargaining rights. Issued on August 28, 2023, just ahead of the Labor Day holiday, the order affects thousands of engineers, scientists, and technicians across all NASA centers. This move represents the most significant rollback of labor protections for the agency’s workforce in its history.
The executive order amends EO 12171, placing NASA among agencies excluded from Chapter 71 of Title 5, which governs federal employees’ rights to organize and negotiate their working conditions. The justification provided for this exclusion centers on NASA’s involvement in “intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative, or national security work.” Alongside NASA, other agencies affected include divisions of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and parts of the U.S. Patent Office.
At the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, the situation is particularly dire. The Goddard Engineers, Scientists and Technicians Association (GESTA), which previously represented a significant portion of the workforce, now finds itself unable to legally advocate for its members. The order strips away long-established union rights that protected over half of NASA’s workforce, leaving employees vulnerable amid ongoing program cuts and facility closures.
Mark Gaston Pearce, former chairman of the National Labor Relations Board and current senior advisor at Georgetown University’s Workers’ Rights Institute, highlighted the implications of this decision. He noted that while previous presidents have exercised similar authorities, the extent of the current administration’s actions raises questions about what constitutes a national security concern.
The enforcement mechanisms that typically safeguard employees’ rights, such as the Merit System Protection Board and the Federal Labor Relations Authority, have been weakened, according to Pearce. He expressed concern that these bodies lack the necessary quorum to act, limiting their ability to address disputes or provide oversight.
Prior to the executive order, approximately 53% of NASA’s workforce belonged to a bargaining unit. The immediate ramifications of this order mean that thousands of employees across NASA centers have lost their protections overnight. In response, NASA officials acknowledged the order and stated they are working to align with the President’s vision for the agency.
TRYSHANDA MOTON, President of GESTA, reported that she had not received any formal notification from NASA management regarding the order as of the following day. The implications of the executive order extend to existing collective bargaining agreements, which can now be nullified without cause. This change affects various negotiated terms, including those related to office assignments and remote work conditions.
The order has led to a climate of fear among employees, with reports of heightened restrictions and concerns about retaliation. Employees are now forbidden from contacting human resources without prior approval from their supervisors. This measure has sparked anxiety among workers who feel their ability to voice concerns has been severely compromised.
The challenges extend beyond labor relations as NASA employees grapple with budget cuts and management decisions under Trump’s proposed fiscal policies. The President’s budget for the fiscal year 2026 includes the largest cuts to NASA in history, with a proposed 47% reduction in science funding. Employees have expressed frustrations over decreased transparency, often learning about critical information from their union representatives rather than management.
Goddard employees have faced abrupt program changes, including plans to close the visitor center and cafeteria, limiting options for dining and collaboration. The loss of communal spaces has been described as detrimental to workplace relationships and knowledge sharing.
As budget discussions unfold, employees report a sense of instability and uncertainty regarding their future. Many fear that the preemptive cuts made in anticipation of the budget will not be recoverable, even if Congress restores funding.
Pearce emphasized the precarious position of federal employees, who lack the right to strike and are left with limited avenues for advocacy. He suggested that lobbying efforts and public awareness campaigns may be their only recourse.
In the face of these challenges, GESTA has organized protests to draw attention to the cuts and advocate for support from Congress. The situation for NASA employees remains complex, with the potential for ongoing instability as they navigate their new reality without the protections previously afforded to them.
The long-term implications of the executive order and the associated budget cuts will likely shape the future landscape of labor relations within NASA and could set a precedent for similar actions across other federal agencies.
