# Federal Unions Seek Pay and Bargaining Rights

Federal employee unions are urging Congress to restore collective bargaining rights for affected workers and prevent a planned 2027 federal pay freeze. Union leaders hope to advance these measures during the lame-duck session or through appropriations legislation. No specific procurement or contract action is identified, but changes to federal pay and bargaining policy could affect agency workforce planning and funding assumptions, including at the Departments of Defense and Education.

- Contractors supporting federal agencies should account for potential workforce and funding changes in their staffing and budget planning; the signal identifies the Defense and Education Departments as areas of particular relevance.
- Because the proposals may proceed through legislation or appropriations, agency workforce and funding assumptions could change if Congress acts. The signal does not specify contract values, solicitation dates, or new compliance requirements.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Education
**Topics:** Policy
**Published:** November 04, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Congress (Congress)
- U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
- U.S. Department of Education (ED)
- U.S. Senate

### Key Quotes
> Specifically, I urge the incoming Congress to pass legislation overturning President Trump’s orders from last year that illegally eliminated collective bargaining rights for more than a million federal employees.
> — Everett Kelley, National President of the American Federation of Government Employees

### Sources
- [Post-midterms, federal unions push for pay raise, restoration of bargaining rights - Government Executive](https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2026/11/post-midterms-federal-unions-push-pay-raise-restoration-bargaining-rights/417052) - Government Executive