The Federal Unionists Network Forms Solidarity Across Government Departments
The Federal Unionists Network (FUN) has emerged as the first large-scale network dedicated to uniting government workers and fostering solidarity across departments within the labor movement.
On May 1, around 30 federal workers assembled at Foley Square in Manhattan. The group, situated between Hotel & Gaming Trades Council signs and Federal Plaza, distributed signs featuring logos from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU). These signs, displaying an image of Russell Vought, the US Office of Management and Budget director who paused most of CFPB’s activities earlier in the year, attracted attention from passersby.
Over the following half-hour, the crowd grew to over 15,000, gathering for the May Day protest. This event marked FUN’s first May Day rally in New York City, although the network has been organizing weekly demonstrations nearby.
FUN’s mission is to organize federal workers and build alliances with other labor groups to protect their jobs and public service roles. According to Chris Dols, a founding member, this effort aligns with the spirit of May Day, emphasizing the significance of labor history and its capacity for achieving success. He views FUN as catalyzing a new labor movement in defense of the public sphere under threat from the current administration.
Originally formed as a small group during the 2019 government shutdown, FUN evolved after Dols recognized the need to fight for workers’ rights even during a relatively favorable administration. The organization has taken actions like circulating an open letter urging Senator Chuck Schumer to confirm nominees to lead the Federal Labor Relations Authority.
With the second Trump administration implementing layoffs and restrictions on federal workers’ rights to organize, FUN responds by amplifying its actions. The network now includes 1,000 active members nationally and engages 16,000 supporters willing to assist.
Drew Curtis, another FUN leader, highlights the expansion of local networks across cities such as Boston and Baltimore, with ambitions to grow in rural communities.
FUN’s presence boosts morale among federal workers facing challenges from current policies. The support from unions like the United Teachers Federation demonstrates the solidarity FUN is fostering within the labor community, highlighting the importance of collective action against privatization threats.
As the rally concluded at Battery Park, participants gathered for a solidarity event organized by FUN and the UFT, underscoring the ongoing collaboration and spirit of unity among government workers and their allies.
