Case: American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO v. Noem

2:25-cv-00451 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Filed Date: March 13, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

On March 13, 2025, four labor organizations and unions--American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), American Federation of Government Employees TSA Local 1121, Communications Workers of America, and Association of Flight Attendants--filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. The case was assigned to Judge Marsha J. Pechman. The lawsuit named  the Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the…

On March 13, 2025, four labor organizations and unions--American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), American Federation of Government Employees TSA Local 1121, Communications Workers of America, and Association of Flight Attendants--filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. The case was assigned to Judge Marsha J. Pechman. The lawsuit named  the Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and their corresponding agency heads as Defendants. The Plaintiffs challenged Defendants' attempt to rescind a collective bargaining agreement between the TSA and AFGE, allegedly in retaliation against AFGE for its litigation against the administration on behalf of federal workers. The Plaintiffs alleged that Defendants' actions violated the First Amendment, the Fifth Amendment , and the Administrative Procedure Act. The Plaintiffs are represented by Barnard, Iglitzin & Lavitt LLP and Bredhoff & Kaiser LLP and sought declartory and injunctive relief, a well as attorney fees.

 

Summary Authors

Alaa Mustafa (3/23/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69733614/parties/american-federation-of-government-employees-afl-cio-v-noem/


Attorney for Plaintiff

Carter, Abigail V (Washington)

Chaudhuri, Pooja (Washington)

Eisen, Norman Larry (Washington)

Grajales, Andres Myles (Washington)

Lavitt, Robert H (Washington)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

2:25-cv-00451

Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

March 13, 2025

March 13, 2025

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69733614/american-federation-of-government-employees-afl-cio-v-noem/

Last updated April 22, 2025, 6:13 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF against defendant(s) Kristi Noem, Adam Stahl, Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Receipt # AWAWDC-8880571) Attorney Robert H Lavitt added to party American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO(pty:pla), Attorney Robert H Lavitt added to party American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO TSA Local 1121(pty:pla), Attorney Robert H Lavitt added to party Communications Workers of America AFL-CIO(pty:pla), Attorney Robert H Lavitt added to party Association of Flight Attendants-CWA AFL-CIO (pty:pla) filed by Communications Workers of America AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO TSA Local 1121, American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA AFL-CIO. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons, # 6 Summons, # 7 Summons)(Lavitt, Robert) (Entered: 03/13/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on RECAP

2 Summons

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3 Summons

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4 Summons

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5 Summons

View on RECAP

6 Summons

View on RECAP

7 Summons

View on RECAP

March 13, 2025

March 13, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT indicating no Corporate Parents and/or Affiliates. Filed pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P 7.1(a)(1). Filed by Association of Flight Attendants-CWA AFL-CIO. (Lavitt, Robert) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER

Add and Terminate Judges

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER
3

CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT indicating no Corporate Parents and/or Affiliates. Filed pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P 7.1(a)(1). Filed by American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO. (Lavitt, Robert) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER
4

CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT indicating no Corporate Parents and/or Affiliates. Filed pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P 7.1(a)(1). Filed by American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO TSA Local 1121. (Lavitt, Robert) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER
5

CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT indicating no Corporate Parents and/or Affiliates. Filed pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P 7.1(a)(1). Filed by Communications Workers of America AFL-CIO. (Lavitt, Robert) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER

Judge Marsha J. Pechman added. (AVC)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

PACER
6

Summons(es) Electronically Issued as to Teal Luthy Miller, Adam Stahl, Kristi Noem, Pam Bondi, Transportation Security Administration, and United States Department of Homeland Security. (Attachments: # 1 Summons, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons)(AVC) (Entered: 03/14/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

RECAP
7

APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY J. Alexander Rowell FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for All Plaintiffs (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-8889375 (Lavitt, Robert) (Entered: 03/19/2025)

March 19, 2025

March 19, 2025

PACER

Order on Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

March 19, 2025

March 19, 2025

PACER
8

APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Abigail V. Carter FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for All Plaintiffs (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-8889398 (Lavitt, Robert) (Entered: 03/19/2025)

March 19, 2025

March 19, 2025

PACER
9

ORDER re 7 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice, 8 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The Court ADMITS Attorneys James Alexander Rowell and Abigail V Carter for Plaintiffs American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO TSA Local 1121, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA AFL-CIO, Communications Workers of America AFL-CIO, by Clerk Ravi Subramanian. No document associated with this docket entry, text only.NOTE TO COUNSEL: Local counsel agrees to sign all filings and to be prepared to handle the matter, including the trial thereof, in the event the applicant is unable to be present on any date scheduled by the court, pursuant to LCR 83.1(d).(AVC) (Entered: 03/19/2025)

March 19, 2025

March 19, 2025

PACER
10

APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Rushab B. Sanghvi FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for Plaintiff American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-8890960 (Lavitt, Robert) (Entered: 03/19/2025)

March 19, 2025

March 19, 2025

PACER
11

APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Andres M. Grajales FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for Plaintiff American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-8890981 (Lavitt, Robert) (Entered: 03/19/2025)

March 19, 2025

March 19, 2025

PACER

Notice to PHV and Local Counsel Unable to Process Application

March 20, 2025

March 20, 2025

PACER

Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice 10, Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice 11 by attorney Rushab B. Sanghvi and Andres M. Grajales will not be processed at this time. The Pro Hac attorney must submit a Pro Hac Vice access request via Manage My Account on PACER, under the Maintenance tab. See page 2 of the Pro Hac Vice Application Guide for detailed instructions. Please contact the Attorney Admissions Clerk at 206-370-8400 or WAWD_Admissions@wawd.uscourts.gov with additional questions. (Ad hoc Attorney Rushab B. Sanghvi and Andres M. Grajales) (HH)

March 20, 2025

March 20, 2025

PACER
12

ORDER re 11 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The Court ADMITS Attorney Andres Myles Grajales for Plaintiff American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO, by Clerk Ravi Subramanian. No document associated with this docket entry, text only.NOTE TO COUNSEL: Local counsel agrees to sign all filings and to be prepared to handle the matter, including the trial thereof, in the event the applicant is unable to be present on any date scheduled by the court, pursuant to LCR 83.1(d).(HH) (Entered: 03/21/2025)

March 21, 2025

March 21, 2025

PACER

Order on Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

March 21, 2025

March 21, 2025

PACER
13

ORDER re 10 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The Court ADMITS Attorney Rushab Sanghvi for Plaintiff American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO, by Clerk Ravi Subramanian. No document associated with this docket entry, text only.NOTE TO COUNSEL: Local counsel agrees to sign all filings and to be prepared to handle the matter, including the trial thereof, in the event the applicant is unable to be present on any date scheduled by the court, pursuant to LCR 83.1(d).(HH) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

PACER

Order on Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

PACER
14

APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Pooja Chaudhuri FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for All Plaintiffs (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-8906249 (Lavitt, Robert) (Entered: 03/31/2025)

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

PACER

Notice to PHV and Local Counsel Unable to Process Application

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

PACER

Order on Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

PACER
15

APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Norman Eisen FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for All Plaintiffs (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-8906256 (Lavitt, Robert) (Entered: 03/31/2025)

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

PACER
16

ORDER re 15 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The Court ADMITS Attorney Norman Larry Eisen for Plaintiffs American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO TSA Local 1121, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA AFL-CIO, and the Communications Workers of America AFL-CIO, by Clerk Ravi Subramanian. No document associated with this docket entry, text only.NOTE TO COUNSEL: Local counsel agrees to sign all filings and to be prepared to handle the matter, including the trial thereof, in the event the applicant is unable to be present on any date scheduled by the court, pursuant to LCR 83.1(d).(AVC) (Entered: 03/31/2025)

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

PACER

Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice 14 by attorney Pooja Chaudhuri will not be processed at this time. The Pro Hac attorney must submit a Pro Hac Vice access request via Manage My Account on PACER, under the Maintenance tab. See page 2 of the Pro Hac Vice Application Guide for detailed instructions. Please contact the Attorney Admissions Clerk at 206-370-8400 or WAWD_Admissions@wawd.uscourts.gov with additional questions. (Ad hoc Attorney Pooja Chaudhuri) (AVC)

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

PACER
17

ORDER re 14 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The Court ADMITS Attorney Pooja Chaudhuri for Plaintiffs American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO TSA Local 1121, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA AFL-CIO, and the Communications Workers of America AFL-CIO, by Clerk Ravi Subramanian. No document associated with this docket entry, text only.NOTE TO COUNSEL: Local counsel agrees to sign all filings and to be prepared to handle the matter, including the trial thereof, in the event the applicant is unable to be present on any date scheduled by the court, pursuant to LCR 83.1(d).(AVC) (Entered: 04/01/2025)

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

PACER

Order on Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

PACER
18

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, filed by Plaintiffs' American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO and American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO TSA Local 1121 All Plaintiffs. Oral Argument Requested. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) Noting Date 5/9/2025, (Lavitt, Robert) Modified to correct filing parties on 4/8/2025 (MJV). (Entered: 04/04/2025)

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

RECAP
19

DECLARATION of Amelia Glymph filed by Plaintiffs American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO TSA Local 1121 re 18 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibits 1-8)(Lavitt, Robert) (Entered: 04/04/2025)

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

RECAP
20

DECLARATION of Scott Lewis filed by Plaintiffs American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO TSA Local 1121 re 18 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Lavitt, Robert) (Entered: 04/04/2025)

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

RECAP
21

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Plaintiffs American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO TSA Local 1121 re 18 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, 20 Declaration, 19 Declaration, (Lavitt, Robert) (Entered: 04/07/2025)

April 7, 2025

April 7, 2025

RECAP
22

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by All Plaintiffs re 6 Summons Issued, 1 Complaint,,, (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(Lavitt, Robert) (Entered: 04/07/2025)

April 7, 2025

April 7, 2025

RECAP
23

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Plaintiffs American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO TSA Local 1121 re 21 Certificate of Service, 18 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, 20 Declaration, 19 Declaration, (Lavitt, Robert) (Entered: 04/14/2025)

April 14, 2025

April 14, 2025

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Washington

Case Type(s):

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Speech and Religious Freedom

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government (Appointments/Civil Service)

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 13, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Four labor unions and organizations focused on the flight industry

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Department of Homeland Security (Washington D.C.), Federal

Transportation Security Administration (Washington D.C.), Federal

Defendant Type(s):

Transportation

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Freedom of speech/association

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Public benefits (includes, e.g., in-state tuition, govt. jobs)

Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)

Transportation

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:

Civil Service