THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2025 69 AFSA NEWS On May 14, following legal actions by both sides, the District Court granted AFSA’s motion for a preliminary injunction against the executive order that stripped Foreign Service members at the State Department and USAID of their right to union representation. In other words, AFSA regained its status as a union at State and USAID. Although State was slow to restart its meetings, it finally did so. USAID did not agree to reengage before the agency was unilaterally dismantled. Conversely, on June 20, the Court of Appeals granted the administration a stay on the District Court’s injunction. In other words, AFSA was once again legally prohibited from working as a union, and official meetings between the department and AFSA representatives on such topics as proposed updates to the FAM on RIFs were stopped. Over the next several months, AFSA expects this uncertainty and “ping-ponging” to continue as unions and the administration continue to battle it out in the courts. Find the latest updates on our lawsuit tracker at https://afsa. org/afsa-lawsuit-tracker. What AFSA Members Can Expect While the EO is in force, AFSA members can still expect the full range of services AFSA offers as a professional association: • Regular updates from AFSA about the changing legal and employment landscape, including State Department and congressional activity that affects the workplace, the budget, federal employee and retiree benefits, and new law and actions that pertain to the Foreign Service. • Continued advocacy on Capitol Hill and at the local level on the issues that are important to our members: pay and work benefits; retirement eligibility, particularly Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA); local residency requirements; and benefits. • Access to AFSA’s highly experienced labor lawyers and counselors, who can advise members on workplace issues and representation in grievance matters. AFSA assists members with a wide variety of issues relating to their Foreign Service employment, including grievances, discipline proceedings, investigations, and security clearance cases. What Isn’t Happening? So, what won’t happen as AFSA’s case makes its way through the courts and the EO is in force? • AFSA’s participation in collective bargaining activity with State/GTM and the HR offices of other foreign affairs agencies. • Regular meetings between AFSA leadership and human resources staff. • Regular deduction of dues from paychecks and annuities. What Can You Do? Our members have been asking what they can do while the union-busting EO is being litigated in the courts. • Sign up for direct dues payment at https:// afsa.org/membership. This is the most important action for members who want to guarantee their membership in this environment. • Keep in touch with AFSA leadership directly or reach out to member@afsa.org to tell us what you are seeing and experiencing at State. During periods when GTM will not meet with AFSA, our active-duty members are our best eyes and ears in the department. • Follow AFSA announcements and litigation updates carefully. These links are updated daily, and our weekly Friday roundup brings together the week’s news. Go to https://afsa. org/2025-resource-hub. • Contribute your stories of how the Foreign Service works for Americans to our Service Disrupted campaign. Go to https://www.service disrupted.org/. • Regular receipt of The Foreign Service Journal and other publications that follow issues of interest to our members. • Professional development activities, long-term retirement planning seminars, and other events. • An active network of AFSA post representatives. • A place to turn to for advice, support, and counsel. n
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