For Immediate Release
March 28, 2025
Contact: Communications Director Nikki Gamer | Cell #: (978) 884-0003 | gamer@afsa.org

Washington, D.C. – The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) condemns the March 27 executive order that, under the guise of national security, strips hundreds of thousands of federal employees—including U.S. Foreign Service members — of their legal right to union representation and collective bargaining.

By removing the safeguards that ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the workplace, this executive order grants agency management, at the direction of any administration, unilateral authority to politicize Foreign Service assignments, evaluations, promotions, and more, without union input or oversight.

Make no mistake—this sweeping, retaliatory measure is a direct attempt to undermine labor rights and silence the voices of America’s public servants. Members of the Foreign Service are nonpartisan, career professionals who serve around the world—often in difficult and dangerous environments—to advance U.S. interests. These men and women take an oath to the Constitution and serve the president, regardless of party. They deserve our support—not intimidation or suppression.

The implications of this executive order are profound. Politicization, retaliation, and the weakening of due process protections across the federal workforce threaten the integrity of public service.  Never in AFSA’s 100-year history have we experienced such threats from within.

We represent more than 18,000 active-duty and retired members of the Foreign Service across six agencies. We know, firsthand, that when employee voices are silenced and their rights are diminished, our nation becomes less secure.

AFSA will pursue every legal, legislative, and public avenue to defend the patriotic men and women who serve our nation.

The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) is the professional association and labor union of the men and women of the United States Foreign Service.