Collective Bargaining

Rep. James Walkinshaw plans to press for a 4.1% federal employee pay raise, while saying 3% could be a compromise, in negotiations ahead of the continuing resolution’s December 11, 2026, expiration. The proposals are not enacted, but any changes to federal compensation or collective bargaining protections could affect agency workforce stability and contractor coordination—not automatically contractor rates or pay requirements.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has initiated legal action against the EPA concerning the termination of its collective bargaining agreement from August 2025. This case raises significant questions about labor relations within the agency that could impact staffing and continuity of operations for related contractors.

The **Commonwealth of Massachusetts** has certified the **App Drivers Union** as the first union representing rideshare drivers in the U.S. This recognition allows nearly **70,000 independent contractors** to negotiate collectively, potentially reshaping procurement approaches and labor relations within the gig economy.