(SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA) – The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and a broad coalition of Labor Organizations, Non-Profit Groups and Local Governments have filed a supplemental complaint challenging the unlawful and drastic reduction of Staff at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The coalition is represented by Altshuler Berzon LLP, Democracy Forward, the Democracy Defenders Fund, Protect Democracy and the Public Rights Project.

Plaintiffs in the case include: The AFGE; AFSCME; SEIU; the City and County of San Francisco, California; Santa Clara County, California; the City of Chicago, Illinois; the City of Baltimore, Maryland; Harris County, Texas; and King County, Washington.

The supplemental complaint alleges the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) December 2025 decision to severely reduce FEMA’s Staffing levels beginning January 1st, 2026 violates Congressional protections designed to preserve FEMA’s independence and ensure it can carry out its statutory mission.

The complaint further alleges that, if allowed to proceed, DHS’s actions will leave FEMA unable to adequately prepare for or respond to natural disasters and other emergencies, placing lives and property at risk and undermining the very purpose for which Congress created the Agency.

The complaint is a supplement to a lawsuit filed in April 2025 by AFGE and a large coalition of groups challenging the Trump Administration’s unlawful reorganization and downsizing of the Federal Government without Congressional authority.

AFGE National President Everett Kelley said: “Secretary Noem’s attempts to dismantle FEMA are among the most egregious actions taken by this administration. All Americans rely on the dedicated FEMA Workforce, who devote their careers to helping people in their most desperate moments. The unlawful actions described in our lawsuit underscore Secretary Noem’s disregard for human life and further support AFGE’s call for her resignation. AFGE is proud to stand up for our members at FEMA and for the American Public’s right to a government that is ready and able to respond when disaster strikes.”

AFSCME President Lee Saunders said: “The Administration’s attacks on the Workers who provide life-saving services during disasters are shameful and put lives across the country at risk. When homes flood, hurricanes and tornadoes devastate communities, or wildfires burn through neighborhoods, FEMA Employees show up to help families through the worst days of their lives. Dismantling this Workforce will lead to slower response times and preventable loss of life and further strain emergency response as State and Local Workers, including AFSCME Members, lose this critical support. We will not stand by while the Administration recklessly dismantles this essential Workforce.”

To Continue Reading This Labor News Story, Go To: Administration’s Move to Gut FEMA Staffing Violates Agency’s Independence and Mission, New Lawsuit Asserts | American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)