President Donald Trump is set to sign a memo on Friday to revoke the collective bargaining agreements established by former President Joe Biden before leaving office. The memo aims to nullify last-minute agreements made by the Biden administration, which the White House claims were intended to hinder the Trump administration's ability to reform the government.
The memo instructs federal agencies to reject any new collective bargaining agreements made during the final 30 days of a president's term and to disapprove of agreements put forth by Biden during this period. Existing agreements prior to this timeframe will remain in effect while the Trump administration renegotiates for what they deem as better terms for the American people.
One such agreement involved the Social Security Administration, where 42,000 employees were guaranteed remote work during the Trump administration. The White House justifies the memo as a means to ensure that policies align with the preferences of the American electorate and to prevent outgoing administrations from imposing long-term agreements on incoming administrations.
The memo also seeks to bring federal government agencies in line with the practices of private sector unions and employers. This move follows the Office of Personnel Management's directive for employees to return to in-person work, with limited exceptions for medical conditions.
Additionally, OPM has offered federal workers the option to resign with full pay and benefits until September 30 if they choose not to return to the office. This offer excludes certain essential workers such as postal employees, military personnel, immigration officials, and select national security positions.
