USAID reduction-in-force (RIF) notices. AFSA addressed new notifications from USAID regarding a 100 percent reduction in force. Many affected employees have already begun receiving revised notices. Calling the development a “gut punch,” AFSA said it is working with legal counsel to fully assess the implications and identify appropriate actions. Members were advised to carefully check their notices for errors and submit all relevant supporting documentation to USAID’s HR Helpdesk. Performance record concerns at USAID. With the performance calendar ending on March 31, AFSA is pressing USAID to collect annual accomplishment records, operating unit statements, and performance evaluation forms, and to activate the multisource rating system. These records are crucial for ensuring employees receive full credit for their work and are not disadvantaged in future promotion cycles or in pursuing future employment. Diplomatic Security exempted from RIF measures. On March 25, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Diplomatic Security personnel will be exempt from RIF and hiring freeze policies under Executive Order 14210, following guidance issued by the Office of Personnel Management. AFSA welcomed the clarification and will continue to monitor how exemptions are applied. In Case You Missed It AFSA NEWS THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2025 53 The case has been assigned to Judge Paul L. Friedman. AFSA filed a motion for a preliminary injunction on April 14. A hearing on the motion for preliminary injunction is scheduled for May 5. The executive order invokes provisions of federal labor law to exclude entire agencies and agency subdivisions from union representation by labeling their functions as primarily tied to intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative, or national security work. The scope of the order effectively strips collective bargaining rights from nearly all Foreign Service employees under the justification that national security considerations are incompatible with labor-management frameworks. AFSA contends that the order violates the separation of powers, infringes on the First Amendment rights of Foreign Service members, and exceeds the legal authority granted to the president. “This executive action is the single greatest threat to the Foreign Service—and to our union—in our 100-year history,” said Yazdgerdi. Attorney Richard Hirn, representing AFSA, added that the administration’s own fact sheet accompanying the order made no attempt to disguise its political motivations, citing unions’ alleged hostility to the president’s agenda as the impetus. This is not the only lawsuit AFSA has filed to halt the administration’s destruction of the Foreign Service. On Feb. 6, AFGE et al. v. Trump was filed in District Court of the District of Columbia challenging the unlawful dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development; while on March 21, AFSA joined other unions, journalists, and federal workers in Widakuswara et al. v. Kari Lake et al, which challenges the unlawful shuttering of the United States Agency for Global Media. As it continues its legal and legislative advocacy, AFSA is launching a new public awareness campaign, “Service Disrupted.” The campaign will spotlight the impact of recent decisions on the Foreign Service and invite members to share stories of how their critical work on behalf of our nation has been disrupted. These testimonials will be used to engage the public and policymakers on the importance of a professional, nonpartisan diplomatic corps. AFSA urges its members to stay informed, engaged, and united during this period of challenge to the institution. “We’ve been through many upheavals before,” said Yazdgerdi, “but never one as direct and damaging as this. We’re not backing down.” Updates on AFSA’s current lawsuits can be found at https://afsa.org/afsa-lawsuittracker. As we go to press, a federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction against the executive order stripping Foreign Service members at State and USAID of their collective bargaining rights, thus preserving AFSA’s role as their representative as legal proceedings continue. n Labor Rights Continued from page 49 AFSA has been issuing frequent updates and guidance for its members since the start of the new administration. Below are excerpts from AFSA communications from March 22 through April 7. Please visit the AFSA Resource Hub for the most recent information: https://afsa.org/2025-resource-hub. Continued on next page
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