Labor and Democracy Partners Announce Rise Up: Legal Defense Network for Fired Federal Workers

The labor movement and allies announced the formation of Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network today, a new project to connect federal workers whose rights have been violated by the Trump administration with free legal support.

Since January, thousands of federal workers have been abruptly fired and thrown out of jobs their families and communities rely on. They have an urgent need for legal support, which will only escalate throughout the spring as “reduction in force” plans go into effect. Federal workers’ unions and allied organizations are already fighting back in court, but thousands of federal workers still need individual legal advice and representation. Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network will mobilize and train thousands of lawyers to provide pro bono legal guidance to federal workers.

“Attacks on federal workers are attacks on all workers and on the essential services that our communities rely on daily,” said Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO. “Getting these workers the justice they deserve in the face of this onslaught will take all of us. I’m so proud to announce the formation of Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network with our partners today. This new network is a critical tool empowering federal workers to fight back. When we come together, we are stronger than any of us alone.”

The Legal Defense Network is powered by the AFL-CIO and We The Action with Democracy Forward, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM), National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the American Constitution Society (ACS), the Partnership for Public Service, and others.

“This is a moment for lawyers to support the federal workers who serve us all,” said Anna Chu, executive director of We The Action. “We The Action was founded on the fundamental premise that lawyers have the power to do good. At a moment when our federal workforce is under attack, lawyers are uniquely positioned to take action. We’re honored to power the Federal Workers Legal Defense Network and mobilize our community of volunteer lawyers to help federal workers get the justice they deserve.”

“Our nation’s civil servants are the backbone of our democracy—and they’re under attack for doing their jobs. Democracy Forward is committed to working alongside partners to defend these workers and the public institutions they serve,” said Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, which launched Civil Service Strong in the wake of the Trump inauguration. “The Rise Up Network will build on existing efforts to ensure federal workers have the legal support they need to fight back, continue to serve the American people and our Constitution, and support our communities.”

“AFGE is proud to partner together with allies across the nation to ensure patriotic American civil servants under relentless attack by this administration have access to the legal resources they need,” said Everett Kelley, AFGE’s national president.

“It is critical that federal workers have access to legal recourse as the Trump administration threatens and unlawfully terminates hundreds of thousands of proud civil servants,” said Randy Erwin, NFFE-IAM’s national president. “We are incredibly grateful for the attorneys and allies in our communities who stand with federal workers delivering essential services to the American people.”

“The Federal Workers Legal Defense Network is a welcome resource for federal employees whose careers and livelihoods are impacted by the administration’s attack on the federal workforce,” said NTEU National President Doreen Greenwald. “NTEU applauds the thousands of attorneys across the nation willing to volunteer their time to advocate on behalf of career civil servants. Programs like this demonstrate a basic truth about the federal workforce: Civil servants, the work they do and the services they provide, matter deeply to this country and American taxpayers. We’re proud to partner with the AFL-CIO, We The Action, and our other allies on this critical tool to advocate on behalf of those who swore an oath to the Constitution.”

“As this current administration continues to lead with lawlessness and cruelty, there’s a need for humanity and action to assist the people being affected. We are proud of lawyers in the ACS network and beyond who are stepping up to meet this moment for federal workers across the country through this critical network,” said Zinelle October, American Constitution Society’s interim president.

“Labor rights are civil rights and workers deserve dignity and fairness, including federal workers who serve us all,” said Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. “The Leadership Conference, a coalition of more than 240 diverse national organizations, is dedicated to protecting, advocating for, and enforcing civil rights for everyone. We will not remain silent, and we will not stand by while this administration—or anyone else—violates the civil and constitutional rights of the people who keep our communities and our country functioning.”

For more information on Rise Up: Federal Workers Legal Defense Network, visit workerslegaldefense.org.

Federal workers looking for legal support can begin the process here.
Lawyers interested in joining the Legal Defense Network can sign up here.