AFGE & AFSCME v. OPM — Schedule F Challenge
Multiple unions filed lawsuits challenging the Schedule F final rule. AFGE, AFSCME, NARFE, and Democracy Forward/PEER all have pending cases. A preliminary injunction reinstated collective bargaining rights. Summary judgment motions pending. The final rule takes effect March 8, 2026, and would affect 50,000+ employees.
Case Details
Multiple unions filed lawsuits challenging the Schedule F final rule. AFGE, AFSCME, NARFE, and Democracy Forward/PEER all have pending cases. A preliminary injunction reinstated collective bargaining rights. Summary judgment motions pending. The final rule takes effect March 8, 2026, and would affect 50,000+ employees.
Date Filed
2025-02-03
Status
Preliminary Injunction
Court
U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
Outcome
Preliminary injunction on collective bargaining; summary judgment pending
Related Executive Actions (2)
Schedule F Reclassification of Federal Employees
Reclassifies tens of thousands of federal employees from career civil service to at-will 'Schedule F' (now 'Schedule Policy/Career') positions, stripping job protections and enabling political loyalty tests. Fulfills the vision articulated by Vance in 2021 to 'fire every single midlevel bureaucrat.'
Schedule F Final Rule (Schedule Policy/Career)
OPM published the final rule for 'Schedule Policy/Career' (formerly Schedule F), reclassifying approximately 50,000 federal employees in policy-influencing positions as at-will workers. Reclassified employees lose civil service protections, cannot appeal suspensions, demotions, or firings to the MSPB, and cannot challenge their reclassification. The rule received 40,000+ public comments, 94% opposed. Effective March 8, 2026. AFGE, AFSCME, and AFL-CIO have all filed lawsuits.
Plaintiffs / Parties
- AFGE
- AFSCME
- NARFE
- Democracy Forward
- PEER