Bureau of Prisons ends collective bargaining agreement
The federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) announced it is terminating the collective bargaining agreement with its unionized employees, specifically the Council of Prison Locals 33 (CPL-33). BOP Director William Marshall III described the union as “an obstacle to progress” and expressed the need for change to improve workplace safety and operations. While acknowledging the unionS past contributions,Marshall emphasized that the current contract has hindered necessary progress and reforms within the prison system. He also clarified that employees’ pay, benefits, and civil service protections would remain intact despite the contract’s termination, which was originally set to last untill 2029.
Union leadership strongly opposed the decision, calling it an attack on workers’ rights and vowing to pursue legislative and other actions to restore collective bargaining protections. CPL-33 represents over 30,000 federal correctional workers nationwide.
This move aligns with broader anti-union efforts under the Trump governance, including executive orders restricting collective bargaining rights across several federal agencies dealing with national security and law enforcement. Earlier similar actions include the termination of collective bargaining agreements for Transportation Security Administration employees by the Department of Homeland Security, which faced legal challenges.
the BOP continues to struggle with issues like severe understaffing and inadequate funding for infrastructure, while managing over 120 facilities and approximately 155,000 inmates within an $8.5 billion annual budget.
Bureau of Prisons ends collective bargaining agreement for employees: ‘An obstacle to progress’
The federal Bureau of Prisons said it’s ending a collective bargaining agreement for unionized employees because “it’s time for change,” marking the Trump administration‘s latest anti-union move.
BOP Director William Marshall III announced the news Thursday night, calling the Council of Prison Locals 33 labor union “an obstacle to progress instead of a partner in it.” He thanked President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi for providing a path to implement change across the federal prison system.
“CPL-33 has a proud history of advocating for its members, and I want to acknowledge the positive contributions it has made over the years. Many dedicated people have given their time and energy under this contract, and I respect the intent behind that work,” Marshall said.
“But the truth is, despite those efforts, we have not seen the progress we need,” he added. “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 of representation; it’s about ensuring representation moves us forward, not holds us back.”
In the message, the director noted he grew up in a pro-union family in West Virginia and said he “will always support” unions that fight for safer conditions and improve the lives of their members’ families. He implied CPL-33 is not that type of union.
The collective bargaining agreement was expected to last until May 2029.
The labor union’s president criticized the agency’s decision, describing it as “an attack on our union” and “every federal employee who serves this country with dedication and sacrifice.”
“The Collective Bargaining Agreement is the foundation that ensures fair treatment, workplace protections, and a voice for our staff. Removing it undermines the very principles of fairness and democracy in the workplace,” Brandy Moore White said in a statement, threatening to pursue “every and legislative action necessary” to restore the terminated contract.
CPL represents more than 30,000 federal correctional workers across the United States.
Since taking office, Trump has signed two executive orders banning collective bargaining at multiple federal agencies that focus on intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative, or national security work.
The orders have been met with opposition from pro-union Democrats. Earlier this month, Sens. Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) led their colleagues in introducing legislation to combat Trump’s executive authority on this issue.
Weeks before the president signed the first anti-union executive orders in March, the Department of Homeland Security pulled its contract with Transportation Security Administration employees. The move was tested in court, resulting in a preliminary injunction that impeded DHS’s ability to end the collective bargaining agreement with TSA.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES STILL DOESN’T WORK
Although CPL-33 workers are affected by the contract’s termination, Marshall assured BOP employees they will not be removed, suspended, or demoted without cause and due process. He also said their pay and benefits, as well as their civil service protections, will remain in place.
The move comes as BOP continues facing many challenges, including severe understaffing and a lack of sufficient funding to repair infrastructure. With an annual budget of more than $8.5 billion, the federal agency operates 122 facilities containing about 155,000 inmates.
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