Labor & Employment Law Daily Wrap Up, PUBLIC EMPLOYEES—Federal Bureau of Prisons severs ties with union, (Sep 30, 2025)
Organizations Mentioned:American Federation of Government Employees | Federal Bureau of Prisons
By Patricia K. Ruiz, J.D.
“Don’t be fooled, this is not about efficiency or accountability—this is about silencing our voice,” said CPL President Brandy Moore White.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has terminated its contract with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Council of Prison Locals 33 (CPL-33), according to BOP Director William K. Marshall, III. Marshall cited a lack of progress in improving the experience of BOP workers due to the Bureau’s contract with CPL-33. The AFGE strongly condemned this “reckless move to strip away our legally negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) through the use of recent executive orders.”
Critical protections for workers. According to the AFGE, the CBA with BOP has provided critical protections for employees against unsafe working conditions, unfair discipline, and staffing shortages that put workers and the public at risk. Absent the CBA, employees will lose essential rights allowing them to address issues such as forced overtime, inadequate resources, and threats to safety.
Marshall announcement. In his announcement, Marshall argued that, despite CPL-33’s “proud history of advocating for its members,” and despite the time and energy spent under the CBA, “we have not seen the progress we need.” He stated, “The current contract has too often slowed or prevented changes that would have made your jobs safer and your workdays better. This is not about questioning the value or representation; it’s about ensuring representation moves us forward, not holds us back.”
Marshall assured BOP workers that their job security is protected by civil service law and that workers will not be removed, suspended, or demoted without cause and due process. He further assured workers that pay and benefits are guaranteed by law and will remain; that workers’ civil service protections, including whistleblower rights, appeal rights, and anti-discrimination protections, remain fully in place; and that worker safety remains a priority.
CPL response. In opposition, CPL President Brandy Moore White said, “We will not stand by while the rights of our members are stripped away. We are prepared to take every legal and legislative action necessary to protect our contract and the employees who put their lives on the line every day.”
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