Marisa Browne Marisa Browne

The Solidarity Docket

Week of December 31, 2025

As the year closes, several consequential developments across the federal labor landscape deserve attention. While some of these changes received limited public scrutiny, their impact on federal workers, unions, and workplace rights will extend well into the coming years.

A Quiet but Consequential Confirmation at the FLRA

On December 18, 2025, the Senate confirmed Charles Arrington to serve as a Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority for a term running through July 1, 2030. The confirmation vote was 53–43, following consideration by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

This confirmation fills the seat previously held by Susan Tsui Grundmann, who was removed from the Authority earlier this year. Her firing violated settled law governing the independence and tenure protections afforded to FLRA members, an issue that remains the subject of ongoing litigation and serious constitutional concern.

What is striking is how little public attention this confirmation appears to have received. Earlier this year, Arrington’s nomination to lead the Office of Special Counsel was withdrawn amid bipartisan concern regarding his fitness for that role. 

The FLRA shapes precedent governing collective bargaining, unfair labor practices, and federal labor-management relations nationwide. Those decisions have lasting consequences. Arrington will now serve in this role until 2030.

MSPB Restores a Quorum with New Board Member

The Merit Systems Protection Board officially welcomed James J. Woodruff II as a new Board member, restoring a quorum for the agency.

Woodruff’s term runs through March 1, 2032. According to the MSPB, Woodruff brings more than two decades of legal experience, including work in civil and national security matters across government and the private sector, litigation of complex cases through trial and appeal, and advisory work on federal acquisitions. He also serves as a Major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

With a quorum restored, the MSPB can again issue final decisions, a critical development for federal employees awaiting resolution of appeals.

MSPB Updates Field Office and Regional Operations

The MSPB also issued a final rule reflecting the permanent closure of its New York Field Office. All geographic areas previously served by that office will now be handled by the Northeastern Regional Office.

In addition, the Board announced that effective November 13, 2025, its Washington Regional Office is now located at 1615 M Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036.

These operational changes affect where and how cases are processed and may have implications for access and case management moving forward.

CFPB Case Gets New Life at the D.C. Circuit

In a significant appellate development, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit granted the National Treasury Employees Union’s request for en banc review in litigation concerning the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

The prior panel decision in NTEU v. Vought — which the union warned “provided a path to dismantling the CFPB” — has been vacated. The court confirmed that the partial stay pending appeal, first entered on April 11, 2025 and later modified on April 28, 2025, remains in effect. Oral argument is scheduled for February 20, 2026.

This decision resets the litigation and places the full court back in the role of evaluating the CFPB’s statutory structure and independence.

TSA Moves to Rescind Collective Bargaining Agreement

The Transportation Security Administration announced that it will rescind its 2024 collective bargaining agreement and unilaterally implement a new labor framework beginning January 11, 2026.

In a brief news release, TSA characterized the change as a return to a “security-focused framework,” but provided few specifics. The agency stated it will adopt alternative procedures to address employee concerns and confirmed it will stop using its payroll system to collect union dues from Transportation Security Officers’ paychecks.

The American Federation of Government Employees immediately vowed to challenge the action in court, noting that a federal judge previously blocked a similar attempt to terminate the CBA and that a preliminary injunction remains in force. The decision affects approximately 47,000 TSA employees.

Additional Developments to Watch

Closing

As we turn the page on 2025, we wish all federal workers, their allies, and their families a peaceful, safe, and hopeful New Year. Thank you for your continued vigilance, engagement, and solidarity. The work ahead continues. 

Suzanne Summerlin
General Counsel
Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network

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