Case: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers v. Trump

1:25-cv-03826 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: Oct. 30, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

Plaintiffs International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (“IBEW”), a coalition of Local Unions, and IBEW Government Coordinating Council-1 bring this lawsuit to challenge the unlawful actions of President Donald J. Trump, the United States Department of Energy (“DOE”) and its Secretary Chris Wright, and the United States Department of the Interior (“DOI”) and its Secretary Doug Burgham in his official capacity. The plaintiffs are represented by a group of attorneys from Keker, Van Nest & Pet…

Section 71 of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (“CSRA”) grants the President authority to “issue an order excluding any agency or subdivision thereof from coverage under this chapter,” i.e., from Chapter 71’s obligation to engage in collective bargaining, “if the President determines that—(A) the agency or subdivision has as a primary function intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative, or national security work, and (B) the provisions of this chapter cannot be applied to that agency or subdivision in a manner consistent with national security requirements and considerations.” 5 U.S.C. § 7103(b)(1). However, the plaintiffs claim that the President's statutory authority does not extend to plaintiffs, who are covered by Section 704's statutory exemption for “certain federal prevailing rate employees who engage in jobs that are essential to the security and stability of the nation’s infrastructure.”

The plaintiffs claim that President Trump issued two executive orders in violation of Section 704. On March 27, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14251, entitled “Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs,” which invoked Section 7103(b)(1). Section 2 of EO 14251 purports to eliminate collective bargaining rights for workers in the DOE, supposedly on the basis that the agency has “as a primary function intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative, or national security work” and that Chapter 71 “cannot be applied to [the DOE] in a manner consistent with national security requirements and considerations.” Later, on August 28, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14343, entitled “Further Exclusions from the Federal Labor-Management Relations Program.” EO 14343 purports to eliminate collective bargaining rights for additional federal employees, including, as relevant here, those in “[u]nits in the Bureau of Reclamation with primary responsibility for operating, managing, or maintaining hydropower facilities.” Both executive orders rely on Chapter 71 to eliminate collective bargaining rights for federal prevailing rate employees. However, the plaintiffs allege that these rights cannot be revoked by executive action.

In response, the plaintiffs brought this suit in the D.C. District Court. The complaint alleges that the executive orders were in excess of the President's authority under the CSRA, in violation of the plaintiffs' procedural due process rights, and an abrogation of the plaintiffs' property rights under federal contract. The plaintiffs sought a declaration that the executive orders are ultra vires, an order preventing the government from giving effect to the executive orders, and reasonable attorney's fees. The case has been assigned to Judge L. Friedman.

This case is ongoing.

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Summary Authors

Jinan Abufarha (12/2/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71828568/parties/international-brotherhood-of-electrical-workers-government-coordinating/

Judge(s)

Friedman, Paul L. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Mims, Laurie Carr (District of Columbia)

Judge(s)

Friedman, Paul L. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Mims, Laurie Carr (District of Columbia)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 1:25-cv-03826	Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief	Oct. 30, 2025	Oct. 30, 2025 Complaint

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71828568/international-brotherhood-of-electrical-workers-government-coordinating/

Last updated Dec. 25, 2025, 2:15 a.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT against DOUG BURGUM, DONALD J. TRUMP, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, CHRIS WRIGHT ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-12053924) filed by INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1002, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 283, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1245, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1959, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 77, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1759, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, GOVERNMENT COORDINATING COUNCIL 1, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 611, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 2159, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 640. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons Donald J. Trump, # 3 Summons U.S. Dept. of Energy, # 4 Summons U.S. Dept. of The Interior, # 5 Summons Chris Wright, # 6 Summons Doug Burgum, # 7 Summons U.S. Attorney, # 8 Summons U.S. Attorney General)(Mims, Laurie) (Entered: 10/30/2025) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER 2 Summons Donald J. Trump View on PACER 3 Summons U.S. Dept. of Energy View on PACER 4 Summons U.S. Dept. of The Interior View on PACER 5 Summons Chris Wright View on PACER 6 Summons Doug Burgum View on PACER 7 Summons U.S. Attorney View on PACER 8 Summons U.S. Attorney General View on PACER	Oct. 30, 2025	Oct. 30, 2025 Clearinghouse
2	NOTICE OF RELATED CASE by INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, GOVERNMENT COORDINATING COUNCIL 1, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1002, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1245, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1759, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1959, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 2159, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 283, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 611, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 640, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 77. Case related to Case No. 1:25-cv-00935-PLF; 1:25-cv-01030-PLF; 1:25-cv-01362-PLF; 1:25-cv-02445-PLF; 1:25-cv-02657-PLF; 1:25-cv-02947-PLF; 1:25-cv-2990-PLF; 1:25-cv-03306-PLF. (Mims, Laurie) (Entered: 10/30/2025)	Oct. 30, 2025	Oct. 30, 2025
3	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Brook Dooley, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12053952. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, GOVERNMENT COORDINATING COUNCIL 1, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1002, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1245, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1759, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1959, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 2159, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 283, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 611, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 640, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 77. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration for Pro Hac Vice Admission, # 2 Certificate of Good Standing)(Mims, Laurie) (Entered: 10/30/2025)	Oct. 30, 2025	Oct. 30, 2025
4	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Travis Silva, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12053956. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, GOVERNMENT COORDINATING COUNCIL 1, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1002, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1245, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1759, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1959, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 2159, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 283, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 611, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 640, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 77. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration for Pro Hac Vice Admission, # 2 Certificate of Good Standing)(Mims, Laurie) (Entered: 10/30/2025)	Oct. 30, 2025	Oct. 30, 2025
5	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Claire Bonelli, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12053960. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, GOVERNMENT COORDINATING COUNCIL 1, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1002, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1245, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1759, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1959, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 2159, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 283, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 611, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 640, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 77. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration for Pro Hac Vice Admission, # 2 Certificate of Good Standing)(Mims, Laurie) (Entered: 10/30/2025)	Oct. 30, 2025	Oct. 30, 2025
6	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Elizabeth Heckmann, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12053961. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, GOVERNMENT COORDINATING COUNCIL 1, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1002, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1245, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1759, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1959, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 2159, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 283, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 611, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 640, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 77. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration for Pro Hac Vice Admission, # 2 Certificate of Good Standing)(Mims, Laurie) (Entered: 10/30/2025)	Oct. 30, 2025	Oct. 30, 2025
7	SUMMONS (7) Issued Electronically as to All Defendants, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zmtm) (Entered: 10/31/2025)	Oct. 31, 2025	Oct. 31, 2025
	Case Assigned to Judge Paul L. Friedman. (zmtm)	Oct. 31, 2025	Oct. 31, 2025
	Case Assigned/Reassigned	Oct. 31, 2025	Oct. 31, 2025
8	RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 11/10/2025. ( Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 1/9/2026.), RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed on United States Attorney General. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney General 11/10/25., RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed. U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL served on 11/10/2025 (Mims, Laurie) (Entered: 11/18/2025)	Nov. 18, 2025	Nov. 18, 2025
9	MOTION for Summary Judgment by INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, GOVERNMENT COORDINATING COUNCIL 1, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1002, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1245, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1759, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1959, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 2159, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 283, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 611, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 640, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 77. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum of Points and Authorities, # 2 Statement of Undisputed Material Facts, # 3 Declaration of Brook Dooley, # 4 Declaration of Dave Garegnani, # 5 Declaration of Steven Mazur, # 6 Declaration of Randy Torres, # 7 Declaration of Daniel Anderson, # 8 Declaration of Martin Wollenburg, # 9 Declaration of Gerald Williams, # 10 Declaration of Brad Perkins, # 11 Declaration of Amanda Moore, # 12 [Proposed] Order Granting Motion for Summary Judgment)(Mims, Laurie) (Entered: 12/19/2025)	Dec. 19, 2025	Dec. 19, 2025
10	ERRATA (re Corrected Memo. of Points and Auth. ISO Pltfs' Mtn. for Summ. Judgment) by INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, GOVERNMENT COORDINATING COUNCIL 1, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1002, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1245, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1759, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 1959, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 2159, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 283, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 611, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 640, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 77 re 9 Motion for Summary Judgment,,,,. (Attachments: # 1 Errata Corrected Memo. of Points and Auth ISO Pltfs' Mtn for Summ. Judgment)(Mims, Laurie) (Entered: 12/22/2025) 1 Errata Corrected Memo. of Points and Auth ISO Pltfs' Mtn for Summ. Judgment View on PACER	Dec. 22, 2025	Dec. 22, 2025 RECAP
	.Order	Dec. 22, 2025	Dec. 22, 2025
	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice	Dec. 22, 2025	Dec. 22, 2025
	Order on Motion for Summary Judgment	Dec. 22, 2025	Dec. 22, 2025
	ORDER granting 3 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a) Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Paul L. Friedman on 12/22/2025. (lczl)	Dec. 22, 2025	Dec. 22, 2025
	ORDER granting 4 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a) Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Paul L. Friedman on 12/22/2025. (lczl)	Dec. 22, 2025	Dec. 22, 2025
	ORDER granting 5 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a) Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Paul L. Friedman on 12/22/2025. (lczl)	Dec. 22, 2025	Dec. 22, 2025
	ORDER granting 6 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a) Click for instructions. Signed by Judge Paul L. Friedman on 12/22/2025. (lczl)	Dec. 22, 2025	Dec. 22, 2025
	MINUTE ORDER: In light of the D.C. Circuit's anticipated decision(s) in National Treasury Employees Union v. Trump, No. 25-5157 (D.C. Cir.), American Foreign Service Ass'n v. Trump, No. 25-5184 (D.C. Cir.), and Federal Education Ass'n v. Trump, No. 25-5303 (D.C. Cir.), it is hereby ORDERED that all proceedings in this matter are STAYED pending further order of this Court. It is further ORDERED that plaintiffs' 9 Motion for Summary Judgment be HELD IN ABEYANCE until further order of this Court. All further briefing on this motion is hereby STAYED. It is further ORDERED that within 14 days of the D.C. Circuit's decision(s), the parties shall file a Joint Status Report proposing next steps for how this case should proceed. Signed by Judge Paul L. Friedman on 12/22/2025. (lczl)	Dec. 22, 2025	Dec. 22, 2025
	ORDER holding in abeyance 9 Motion for Summary Judgment. Signed by Judge Paul L. Friedman on 12/22/2025. (lczl)	Dec. 22, 2025	Dec. 22, 2025