AFGE Local 252

Education Department places dozens of officials on leave over Trump’s DEI order, union says

From USA Today

Dozens of U.S. Department of Education officials were suddenly put on paid administrative leave Friday night, their union said, because of President Donald Trump’s executive order banning diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the federal government.

The employees worked in multiple offices across the agency and included civil rights attorneys, public relations and IT specialists, people who helped students defrauded by colleges and others, according to Brittany Holder, a spokesperson for the American Federation of Government Employees.

The staffers were explicitly told by the Education Department that the decision to place them on leave was “not being done for any disciplinary purpose” but was pursuant to the president’s DEI-related executive order, according to a memo obtained by USA TODAY. Their email access was also suspended.

Education Department employees placed on leave for attending diversity training

From Politico

Some federal employees at the Education Department have been placed on administrative leave for previously attending a diversity training.

Several employees began receiving leave notices late Friday and reported them to their local union president at the American Federation of Government Employees, confirmed Brittany Holder, deputy communications director at AFGE, which represents federal workers at the agency.

The action comes as President Donald Trump has ordered federal agencies to examine and dismantle any programs or initiatives that seek to bolster diversity, equity and inclusion. A memo reviewed by POLITICO that was sent Friday informed agency workers that they had been placed on leave because of the president’s executive order on DEIA and further guidance from the Office of Personnel Management.

Union official says Education Department employees were placed on leave after taking diversity training during Trump’s first term

From NBC News

Dozens of employees who attended a diversity training course encouraged by former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos during President Donald Trump’s first administration have been placed on paid leave as part of Trump’s targeting of DEI programs, a union official told NBC News.

Sheria Smith, president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 252, which represents hundreds of Education Department employees, told NBC News that at least 55 employees were placed on leave as of Friday evening and that she expected the number to grow as she learns more.

Education Officials Placed on Leave in Trump’s Sprawling Effort to Curb D.E.I.

From the New York Times

The Education Department placed a number of employees across its offices on administrative leave on Friday, part of a wave of what staff members and union representatives say are dozens of suspensions at the agency in the Trump administration’s purge of diversity efforts.

In letters obtained by The New York Times, the department notified affected employees that they would lose access to their email accounts, but would continue to receive pay for an indefinite period.

Trump’s DEI purge targets federal workers who did not work in DEI

From the Washington Post

At least 50 employees at the Education Department have been put on leave in recent days after President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to eliminate all positions related to diversity, equity and inclusion. But almost none of them worked in jobs directly related to DEI, according to union officials and interviews with affected workers.

Instead, most all were involved in some sort of DEI initiative in the past, such as diversity training, an affinity group, or other programs inside the department aimed at creating a more inclusive workplace.

‘Will I have a job?’ AFGE Local 252 members and other Federal workers full of uncertainty, fear over Trump plans

From USA Today:

Chelsea Milburn remembers feeling “blessed” to find her ideal job as a public affairs specialist for the Department of Education, a near-perfect situation after her life dramatically changed two years ago after an illness.

But, like more than 228,000 federal workers who telework, Milburn’s job is at risk if President-elect Donald Trump makes good on his promise to require federal workers to return to the office five days a week. She has a disability that makes it hard for her to sit at her desk full-time.

We Have a CBA!

Dear AFGE Local 252 Members,

We are thrilled to announce a historic victory for all employees in the Department of Education. Together, we’ve achieved a milestone by finalizing a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). This groundbreaking agreement safeguards your rights and protections, strengthens workplace standards, and underscores the power of collective action.

What This Agreement Secures: With this CBA in place, employees can confidently look forward to critical protections that ensure a better workplace for all:

Maxiflex Scheduling: Flexibility in your work schedule is now protected, helping you balance personal and professional priorities.
Union Engagement During Duty Hours: Employees can meet with union officials while on duty, ensuring timely support and advocacy.
Filing Grievances: Your right to raise concerns and address workplace issues has been solidified, with clear pathways for resolution.
Career Ladder and Step Promotions: Professional growth opportunities remain a cornerstone, with guarantees for career progression.
Overtime Compensation: Fair pay for extra hours worked is now a secured standard.
We know you may have questions, and we’re here to provide the answers. Details about the agreement will be shared next week, along with designated office hours with union officers to give you the opportunity to ask one-on-one questions.

This victory is not just about securing these protections; it’s a testament to the unwavering solidarity and dedication of our union members. By standing together, we’ve demonstrated the strength of our collective voice and laid a foundation that will benefit employees for years to come.

Let’s take a moment to celebrate this achievement and acknowledge the hard work that made it possible. But our work doesn’t stop here—we remain committed to protecting your rights, advocating for your needs, and continuing the fight for a better workplace.

Thank you for your trust, resilience, and unity. This success is yours.

In solidarity,

AFGE Local 252

Federal workers brace for Trump’s plan to potentially replace them with loyalists

AFGE Local 252 President Sheria Smith spoke on the PBS News Hour about the incoming Trump administration’s plans for the U.S. Department of Education.

Watch the video and read the transcript

She Was 33, Pregnant, And Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

From AFGE

AFGE Local 252 member Aleseia Saunders was 32 when she felt a lump in her right breast. Being so young with no family history of breast cancer, she shrugged it off as being a cyst and went on with her life. During that same time, she found out she was pregnant with her first child.

During a trip to her OBGYN for pregnancy confirmation, she received good news that she was indeed pregnant. The doctor also did a breast exam and recommended having a biopsy done at a nearby hospital, which she did.

Learn more about Aleseia’s story and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Federal workers in TX voice concerns about Project 2025

From Public News Service

Federal workers are voicing concerns about what they see as the potential impacts of the sweeping policy recommendations known as Project 2025, if Donald Trump is reelected in November.

Although the former president has denied being associated with the 900-page document created by the Heritage Foundation, some parts of his platform are similar and its contributors include dozens of members of his presidential administration.