In a ruling on Wednesday, a federal judge determined that President Donald Trump did not have the authority to dismiss Democratic member Susan Tsui Grundmann from the Federal Labor Relations Authority. U.S. District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan in Washington, D.C. ordered Grundmann to be reinstated, thwarting Trump’s efforts to exert control over independent agencies like the FLRA and potentially shrink the federal workforce.
Judge Sooknanan’s decision provides a 2-1 Democratic majority on the FLRA until Grundmann’s term ends in July. The FLRA, established by Congress to operate independently of the White House, is responsible for facilitating negotiations between federal agencies and unions and can intervene to protect unionized workers from termination.
Sooknanan criticized Trump’s action as undermining Congress’ intention to keep the FLRA free from political influence, emphasizing the importance of maintaining fairness and consistency in federal labor relations. The White House and Grundmann’s legal representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Following Grundmann’s dismissal by Trump without an explanation, she filed a lawsuit alleging a violation of federal labor relations law, which stipulates that FLRA members can only be removed for specific reasons such as inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. The Department of Justice, representing the government, did not dispute Trump’s breach of the law but contended that the constraints on removing FLRA members are unconstitutional.
Judge Sooknanan expressed concern that the government’s arguments could jeopardize essential constitutional safeguards and emphasized the importance of checks and balances in the system. Trump’s attempts to dismiss Democratic appointees from other independent federal agencies have faced legal challenges, with multiple officials seeking reinstatement.
The Trump administration is appealing rulings reinstating members of the National Labor Relations Board and the Merit Systems Protection Board, which oversee labor disputes in the private sector and review federal workers’ appeals, respectively.
