Shaheen, Collins Lead New Hampshire and Maine Congressional Delegations in Calling for Federal Labor Relations Authority to Explain Refusal to Process Complaints at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) are leading the New Hampshire and Maine Congressional delegations in calling for the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) to provide an explanation for its refusal to comply with recent court orders and process an Unfair Labor Practice charge (ULP) filed by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Metal Trades Council on behalf of its members. In their bipartisan, bicameral letter, the lawmakers note that FLRA cites President Trump’s Executive Order limiting the collective bargaining rights of federal employees as its reason for inaction despite a court order halting implementation of the policy. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Angus King (I-ME) and Representatives Chris Pappas (D-NH-01), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH-02), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01) and Jared Golden (D-ME-02) cosigned the letter. The lawmakers wrote, in part: “We write today regarding the Federal Labor Relations Authority’s (FLRA) refusal to process Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charges filed by members of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Metal Trades Council (MTC) on behalf of its members. The MTC has brought forward a ULP charge to the FLRA but has been informed that due to President Trump’s March 27, 2025, Executive Order 14251, limiting the right of certain federal employees to engage in collective bargaining, the FLRA would not process the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard employee ULP case. However, recent court rulings have nullified portions of that order, and the FLRA should be acting in accordance with the court order.” They continued: “Considering the Court’s injunction and the importance of this issue to our constituents, we respectfully request that the FLRA provide prompt clarification regarding its handling of ULP filings brought forward by unions representing workers under federal agencies impacted by President Trump’s March 27, 2025, Executive Order 14251.” The lawmakers asked FLRA for responses to the following questions: Is the Federal Labor Relations Authority refusing to process Unfair Labor Practice charges brought forward by unions representing federal workers? Is the FLRA acting in accordance with the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia’s October 1st injunction in AFL-CIO v. Trump? What steps is the FLRA taking to ensure compliance with the injunction? What is the status of the ULP charge brought forward by the Metal Trades Council at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard? What is the legal basis for the FLRA’s refusal to process ULP charges in light of the court’s October 1st injunction? A full copy of the letter can be read HERE . As a co-chair of the U.S. Senate Navy Caucus and a senior member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Shaheen has long advocated for New England’s shipbuilding industry and workforce, including through authorizing funding and workforce development for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. In the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) , Shaheen secured full authorization for the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP) investments at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Shaheen’s provision to exempt employees from all four public shipyards from the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) civilian hiring freeze and any future hiring freezes or reductions in force was included in the FY 2026 NDAA . She also secured a number of other provisions to increase capacity at the Shipyard and improve quality of life. ###