Federal Employee Union Sees ‘Amazing’ Growth Amid Trump Attacks

The largest union for federal employees says it’s seeing unusual growth amid President Donald Trump’s attacks on the government workforce.

Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, or AFGE, said the union has added more than 8,200 members through the first third of February, after adding nearly 8,000 in January. In normal times, a typical month might see a net gain of a few hundred, he explained.

The recent surge in signups means the union grew by about 5% in a matter of weeks, pushing its rolls to 321,000 ― its highest ever, the AFGE says. The union had set a goal of reaching a membership size of 325,000 by the end of 2025, but Kelley said they might end up hitting that goal before the end of this week.

“You know, I really want to send him an organizing award,” he joked of Trump on Monday.

Trump has started his term with a barrage of extreme orders and personnel moves meant to undermine the federal workforce. His administration has tried to unilaterally shut down federal agencies without approval from Congress while pushing 2 million employees to accept a legally dubious deferred resignation offer.

Federal unions serve as one of the main bulwarks against these attacks, advising workers on their rights and filing lawsuits to block what they say are Trump’s illegal actions. So it’s no surprise that the AFGE, the largest of federal unions, has seen its membership climb ever since Trump won the election and promised to close agencies and carry out mass firings.

Meanwhile, Trump’s so-called “Department of Government Efficiency,” headed by his billionaire ally Elon Musk, has fanned out across the executive branch, promising agency cuts and accessing sensitive data.

Kelley predicted that a lot of voters would have “buyer’s remorse” when they see the decline in government services if Trump gets his way.

“Not only are federal employees paying attention, but it says to me that the entire country is paying attention to what’s going on… and they do not appreciate the attacks on federal workers,” Kelley said.

Although many federal workers have collective bargaining rights, federal workplaces are “open shops,” meaning no one can be required to pay dues even if they are covered by the union’s contract. The growth in membership indicates more federal workers recognize the union’s value under Trump and are choosing to fund it voluntarily with a piece of their paychecks.

It also suggests more government workplaces will form new unions in the months to come.

Kelley said the AFGE has heard from workers interested in organizing some 750 new bargaining units; he described 150 of those as “very serious” candidates for unionization. These would be offices within federal agencies that are not currently organized but could petition the government to hold elections.

“It’s amazing,” Kelley said of the interest. “People are reaching out to us, and we encourage them to continue. Because we are going to be there.”

Are you a federal employee with something to share? You can email our reporter here, or contact him over Signal at davejamieson.99.