Recently, several progressive groups formed an alliance to offer aid and legal guidance to governmental workers relieved from their positions during President Donald Trump’s second tenure. An initiative titled the You Are Not Alone Project spearheads this movement, and it comprises three significant entities: Democracy Forward’s Civil Service Strong, the American Federation of Government Employees, and the Partnership for Public Service.
Born as a pilot initiative in July, targeting State Department employees, the project has diversified and grown, now engaging a wide range of federal agencies. Included in its initial phase, the project facilitated ousted bureaucrats in procuring complimentary legal counsel from Rise Up, also referred to as the Federal Workers Legal Defense Network. This venture is another alliance of progressive factions, encompassing the trio that forms the You Are Not Alone Project.
In addition to offering legal guidance, the pilot initiative also guided former bureaucrats on how to lodge appeals to the Merit Systems Protection Board. It also served as a resource for lodging complaints via the Office of Special Counsel. Democracy Forward, a group committed to litigation and advocacy, is led by the veteran Democratic election lawyer, Marc Elias. Elias gained notoriety for supporting the conspiracy theory revolving around the Russia-Trump collaboration during his tenure in Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign.
“Federal workers play a significant role in serving our country with commitment and honesty. As we engage in litigating several instances where the workforce has been unlawfully targeted, we aim to reassure these individuals that they are not lone warriors facing the threat of job insecurity,” stated a representative of the initiative. He further added, “The You Are Not Alone Project extends beyond the provision of resources. It is focused on solidarity, dignity, and equipping public servants with the tools they need to safeguard their rights and progress.”
Recognized as the country’s most significant federal employee union, the American Federation of Government Employees plays a pivotal role in this project. On the other hand, the Partnership for Public Service acts as a bit of a deviation from the other two groups. This organization has traditionally abstained from advocacy, focusing more on enhancing government efficiency and accountability through procedural initiatives.
However, during President Trump’s second term, the Partnership for Public Service took a stance against the administration’s actions. They criticized the move to slash the federal workforce’s size. Inconsistent with their historical reservations about publicizing political views, the Consortium announced the manifest of You Are Not Alone Project to all federal agencies only late last week. Nonetheless, they had already set up a pilot program in July for ex-State Department employees.
The said program was initiated in response to the department’s decision to issue layoff warnings to over 1,300 employees. This action was taken as part of the Trump administration’s restructuring plan. The comprehensive reorganisation is projected to result in approximately 3,000 total exits, including voluntary departures. A union spokesperson drew attention to a press release providing details about the pilot program.
An investigative think tank that specializes in monitoring nonprofits provided some insights. While the think tank opposes federal employee unions, it acknowledged the validity of such collaborations. Its representative mentioned, “Despite my persistent belief that government worker unions should not exist…it appears that if labor unions must exist, they should engage in such initiatives.”
However, it’s apparent that this initiative carries a more ostentatious political undertone, as indicated by the affiliations. But the act of supporting members affected by layoffs isn’t the most objectionable activity labor unions engage in, as per the same source. The representative also remarked that he wasn’t greatly taken aback by the Partnership for Public Service becoming part of this coalition.
“Though the initiative aligns with progressive ideologies, it is not as outright partisan as some. It aims to defend public servants,” he further expanded. “We will not remain idle while these loyal citizens are marginalized,” iterated another representative.
According to a representative for the Partnership for Public Service, the federal employees require backing during these trying times. He emphasized the importance of generating reliable and easy-to-understand resources for federal employees, aiding them to effectively navigate through periods of stress and uncertainty.
The post Progressive Coalition Launches Project to Help Dismissed Government Workers appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
