(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - In a major victory for the 47,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Officers represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), a Federal Judge has ruled the Trump Administration’s latest attempt to terminate their contract violates a standing Court injunction.

This was Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s second attempt to sever AFGE’s Collective Bargaining Agreement with the TSA – and the second time a Judge has ruled against the Administration.

On March 7th (2025), Secretary Noem initially sought to terminate the contract - but in June, U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman of the Western District of Washington issued a preliminary injunction blocking the action.

Judge Pechman found that Agency’s actions violated the First Amendment, the Fifth Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act.

For More On This Labor News Report, Go To: AFGE | Huge Win for TSA Workers as Judge Orders Agency to Honor Contract

And, after nine months of sustained organizing and collective action, all Employees at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) who received layoff notices last year have been fully reinstated.

In April (2025), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiated a reduction in force that targeted more than 90% of the NIOSH Workforce - about 1,000 Employees, including Scientists, Engineers and Technical Experts critical to the Nation’s workplace safety and public health infrastructure.

On January 13th (2026), HHS reversed course completely, revoking all layoff notices.

Dr. Micah Niemeier-Walsh, PhD, the Vice President of AFGE Local 3840 and a NIOSH Industrial Hygienist, said: “This moment belongs to every single person who refused to stay silent. Every rally, every media interview, every petition signature, every act of solidarity by NIOSH Employees and our partners in the Labor Movement led to this victory of saving NIOSH.”

The victory came after sustained pressure from Unions, Labor Advocates and Public Health Experts.

HHS had initially reinstated only 328 NIOSH employees in May 2025, just a small fraction of the agency, and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. had proposed a budget that would eliminate around 80% of NIOSH’s funding. 

The reinstatement of all NIOSH Staff ensures the continuation of critical programs that protect all Working People, including mine safety research, chemical hazard assessment and research on emerging occupational risks.

For More On This Labor News Story, Go To: AFGE | NIOSH Employees Reinstated in Victory for Workers and Public

Photo Courtesy Of The AFGE’s Website.