Lynn Rhinehart, a Senior Fellow at the Economic Policy Institute and former General Counsel of the AFL-CIO, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the dismantling of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), the broader implications of Trump's executive orders on federal unions and potential consequences for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Established in 1947, the FMCS was designed to support collective bargaining by providing mediation services to employers and unions. Rhinehart explained that the Trump administration's decision to effectively shut down the FMCS is a significant blow to labor relations, as it removes a critical resource for resolving disputes. The agency, which operated with a modest budget and staff, was abruptly closed, leaving many ongoing mediations canceled and parties without support. Rhinehart said this move undermines the very purpose of the FMCS and reflects a broader anti-union agenda.
Rhinehart also discussed the executive orders issued by Trump, which aim to strip federal employees of their collective bargaining rights. She said these orders are not only illegal, but also retaliatory, targeting unions that have successfully challenged the administration's previous actions in court. Rhinehart explained that the orders threaten to dismantle existing contracts and undermine the rights of nearly a million federal workers. She emphasized the importance of legal challenges to these orders, expressing confidence that the courts will uphold workers' rights.
Finally, Rhinehart discussed the situation at the NLRB, where Trump has attempted to remove independent board members, which she said cripples the agency's ability to function efficiently. Rhinehart described this as an unprecedented power grab, aimed at controlling or potentially eliminating the NLRB. The lack of a quorum due to removing board members has stalled the board's operations, leaving workers' rights unprotected. This, Rhinehart warned, could lead to increased employer violations and a weakened labor movement.
To hear more from Rhinehart, listen to the episode above.