Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Exempts Agencies with National Security Missions from Federal Collective Bargaining Requirements

8/28/2025

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Action Summary

Exemption Authority: President Trump, under the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, exempts select national security agencies from federal collective bargaining requirements.
Impacted Agencies:
- Bureau of Reclamation: Operates 53 hydropower plants that provide critical energy security and black start capacity.
- NASA: Develops advanced air and space technologies essential for U.S. security.
- NESDIS and NWS (NOAA): Supply vital weather and climate data used in military operational planning.
- Patent and Trademark Office (PTO): Enforces the Invention Secrecy Act to protect sensitive innovations.
- U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM): Supports U.S. public diplomacy and national security messaging.
Operational Efficiency: The exemption aims to eliminate procedural delays caused by collective bargaining agreements and midterm union bargaining, enabling swift policy implementation.
National Security Priority: Ensures that agencies critical to national security can operate responsively and protect American interests without delay.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order exempts certain national security agencies from federal collective bargaining requirements, which could lead to operational efficiencies but may also result in labor disputes or dissatisfaction among federal employees.
By removing collective bargaining, there is a risk of decreased morale and potential legal challenges from unions, which could impact the workforce stability within these agencies.
The focus on national security could lead to increased scrutiny and pressure on agencies to perform without the procedural delays associated with labor negotiations, potentially affecting their operational dynamics.
Vanderbilt University, particularly its programs related to national security, law, and labor relations, may need to consider the implications of these changes on federal employment practices and the broader impact on labor rights.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt Law School may see increased interest in labor law and national security law, providing opportunities for research and discourse on the balance between national security and labor rights.
The Department of Political Science could explore the political and social implications of the Executive Order, offering insights into the intersection of labor relations and national security.
Vanderbilt’s Center for National Security might engage in discussions and research on the operational impacts of the Executive Order on national security agencies.

Financial Impact

The Executive Order may not have a direct financial impact on Vanderbilt University, but it could influence federal funding priorities, particularly in areas related to national security and labor relations.
There may be opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure research funding related to the implications of the Executive Order, particularly in the fields of law, political science, and national security.
Changes in federal employment practices could indirectly affect the job market for graduates, particularly those entering federal service or related fields.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents moderate risks involving compliance or ethics, particularly in labor relations and national security.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s National Security Programs should evaluate the impact of the Executive Order on partnerships with federal agencies like NASA and the National Weather Service. Understanding changes in labor relations could affect collaborative research and development projects.
The Office of Federal Relations should monitor developments in federal labor-management relations to anticipate any shifts in agency operations that could influence Vanderbilt’s research collaborations and funding opportunities.
Vanderbilt’s Legal and Policy Departments should assess the implications of the Executive Order on intellectual property and patent processes, particularly in areas related to national security, to ensure compliance and strategic alignment with federal priorities.
The Department of Political Science could conduct research on the broader implications of exempting national security agencies from collective bargaining, providing insights into potential impacts on agency efficiency and national security policy.

Opportunities

The Executive Order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Engineering and Technology Programs to engage in research and development projects with agencies like NASA and the Bureau of Reclamation, focusing on technologies critical to national security.
Vanderbilt can leverage its expertise in public policy and diplomacy to contribute to discussions on the role of agencies like the U.S. Agency for Global Media in national security, potentially influencing policy and public diplomacy strategies.
By aligning with national security priorities, Vanderbilt can enhance its reputation and attract federal funding for research initiatives that support the missions of exempted agencies.

Relevance Score: 3 (Some adjustments are needed to processes or procedures to align with changes in federal agency operations and priorities.)

Average Relevance Score: 2.8

Timeline for Implementation

N/A – The text does not set an explicit timeline or deadline for implementation; it merely notes that existing collective bargaining agreements will remain in effect until their natural expiration.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

Bureau of Reclamation: The agency’s hydropower facilities, critical for energy security and national defense, are exempted from collective bargaining requirements.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): NASA’s advanced air and space technology operations, essential to national security, are directly impacted by the exemption.
National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS): As a part of NOAA, NESDIS’s role in providing satellite and climate data for military planning is affected.
National Weather Service (NWS): Also within NOAA, NWS’s contribution to weather forecasts that inform military operations is impacted.
Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) – Office of the Commissioner of Patents: The PTO’s responsibilities under the Invention Secrecy Act to protect national security-related inventions are included.
U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM): The agency, which supports U.S. public diplomacy and national security through media operations, is affected by this executive action.

Relevance Score: 3 (The directive affects six government agencies with national security missions.)

Responsible Officials

Bureau of Reclamation – The Director is tasked with ensuring that hydropower facilities comply with the exemption from collective bargaining requirements.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) – The Administrator will oversee the implementation of the directive within the agency.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – The heads responsible for NESDIS and the National Weather Service (typically the Under Secretary for Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere or designated NOAA leadership) are charged with incorporating the directive.
Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) – The Commissioner of Patents is responsible for implementing the exemption on matters related to the Invention Secrecy Act.
U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) – The agency head must ensure that the exemption is applied within its public diplomacy operations.

Relevance Score: 4 (Directives affect agency heads responsible for implementing the exemption across nationally significant agencies.)