Case: United Power Trades Organization v. Trump

2:26-cv-02107 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Filed Date: June 16, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case challenges the Trump administration's exclusion of certain Department of Defense employees from federal collective bargaining protections under Executive Order 14251. On June 16, 2026, the United Power Trades Organization (UPTO), an independent labor union representing approximately 545 civilian employees of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in the Pacific Northwest, sued President Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and the Commanding General of the USACE in the U.S. Dis…

This case challenges the Trump administration's exclusion of certain Department of Defense employees from federal collective bargaining protections under Executive Order 14251.

On June 16, 2026, the United Power Trades Organization (UPTO), an independent labor union representing approximately 545 civilian employees of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in the Pacific Northwest, sued President Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and the Commanding General of the USACE in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. UPTO challenged Executive Order (EO) 14251, which excluded the Department of Defense from the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute (FSLMRS) on national security grounds. UPTO also challenged the April 16, 2026, termination of its collective bargaining agreement with the Department of the Army. UPTO alleged that the Executive Order exceeded the President's statutory authority because the union's members perform civilian hydropower and infrastructure work rather than national security functions. UPTO also contended that the termination of the collective bargaining agreement unlawfully stripped the union of decades-old bargaining rights. The complaint asserted that the EO and the agreement's termination violated the First and Fifth Amendments, that the termination constituted arbitrary and capricious agency action under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), and that the government retaliated against UPTO by initiating proceedings to revoke the union’s certification after the union announced plans to challenge the policy in court. UPTO sought declaratory and injunctive relief restoring its collective bargaining rights and preventing enforcement of the EO against its bargaining unit. Judge Lauren King was assigned to the case.

After UPTO served the defendants, it moved for a preliminary injunction on July 14, 2026, asking the court to restore its collective bargaining agreement and bar enforcement of EO 14251 against the union while the litigation proceeds. The motion argued that other federal courts had already enjoined the EO as applied to similarly situated federal employee unions and that UPTO's members continued to suffer irreparable harm from the loss of bargaining rights. As of July 2026, the preliminary injunction motion remains pending.

Summary Authors

Benjamin Glicksman (7/28/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73493433/parties/united-power-trades-organization-v-trump/

Attorney for Plaintiff

Skalbania, Alex J (Washington)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Skalbania, Alex J (Washington)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 2:26-cv-02107	Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief United Power Trades Organization v. Trump et al.	June 16, 2026	June 16, 2026 Complaint
12 2:26-cv-02107	Plaintiff’s Motion For Preliminary Injunction United Power Trades Organization v. Trump et al.	July 14, 2026	July 14, 2026 Pleading / Motion / Brief

show / hide documents

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73493433/united-power-trades-organization-v-trump/

Last updated Aug. 30, 2026, 3:10 a.m.

Docket for: United Power Trades Organization v. Trump

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	June 16, 2026	COMPLAINT against All Defendants (Receipt # AWAWDC-9764046) filed by UNITED POWER TRADES ORGANIZATION. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons Donald J Trump - Summons, # 3 Summons Pete Hegseth - Summons, # 4 Summons William H Graham - Summons)(Skalbania, Alex) (Entered: 06/16/2026) 1 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER 2 Summons Donald J Trump - Summons View on PACER 3 Summons Pete Hegseth - Summons View on PACER 4 Summons William H Graham - Summons View on PACER	Clearinghouse
2	June 16, 2026	APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Diana J. Nobile FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for Plaintiff UNITED POWER TRADES ORGANIZATION (Fee Paid) Receipt No. BWAWDC-9764159 (Skalbania, Alex) (Entered: 06/16/2026)	RECAP
3	June 16, 2026	APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Sarah M. Block FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for Plaintiff UNITED POWER TRADES ORGANIZATION (Fee Paid) Receipt No. BWAWDC-9764195 (Skalbania, Alex) (Entered: 06/16/2026)	RECAP
4	June 17, 2026	Summons(es) Electronically Issued as to defendant(s) William H Graham, Jr, Peter Hegseth, and Donald J Trump (HH) (Entered: 06/17/2026)	RECAP
5	June 17, 2026	ORDER re 2 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The Court ADMITS Attorney Diana J. Nobile for United Power Trades Organization, by Clerk Joshua C. Lewis. 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).(LRS) (Entered: 06/17/2026)	RECAP
6	June 17, 2026	ORDER re 3 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The Court ADMITS Attorney Sarah M Block for United Power Trades Organization, by Clerk Joshua C. Lewis. 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).(LRS) (Entered: 06/17/2026)	RECAP
	June 17, 2026	Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice 3, Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice 2 by attorneys Diana J. Nobile and Sarah M. Block 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 Diana J. Nobile and Sarah M. Block) (ELS)
	June 17, 2026	Notice to PHV and Local Counsel Unable to Process Application
	June 17, 2026	Add and Terminate Judges
	June 17, 2026	Order on Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice
	June 17, 2026	Judge Lauren King added. (HH)
7	June 18, 2026	STANDING ORDER FOR ALL CIVIL CASES. The procedures in this Order supplement, and in some cases, supersede the local rules. The parties are responsible for being familiar with the procedures in this Order. Failure to comply with the procedures may result in sanctions. Signed by Judge Lauren King. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Standing Order) (NAW) (Entered: 06/18/2026)	RECAP
	June 18, 2026	NOTICE: Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P 7.1(a)(1), Plaintiff United Power Trades Organization must file a Corporate Disclosure Statement by 6/25/2026. If applicable, a Diversity Disclosure Statement may be required pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P 7.1(a)(2). In order to properly notify the Court, use the event Corporate/Diversity Disclosure Statement located in CM/ECF under Other Filings, Other Documents.(HH)
	June 18, 2026	Disclosure Statement - Notice of Deadlines
8	June 22, 2026	CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT indicating no Corporate Parents and/or Affiliates. Filed pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P 7.1(a)(1). Filed by All Plaintiffs. (Nobile, Diana) (Entered: 06/22/2026)	RECAP
9	July 7, 2026	AFFIDAVIT of Mailing of Summons and Complaint to Todd Blanche, Acting United States Attorney General on 6/26/2026, filed by All Plaintiffs. (Nobile, Diana) (Entered: 07/07/2026)	RECAP
10	July 7, 2026	AFFIDAVIT of Mailing of Summons and Complaint to Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense on 6/26/2026, filed by All Plaintiffs. (Nobile, Diana) (Entered: 07/07/2026)	RECAP
11	July 8, 2026	AFFIDAVIT of Mailing of Summons and Complaint to Civil Process Clerk, United States Attorney's Office, Western District of Washington on 6/22/2026, filed by Plaintiff United Power Trades Organization. (Nobile, Diana) (Entered: 07/08/2026)	RECAP
12	July 14, 2026	MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, filed by All Plaintiffs. Oral Argument Requested. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Declaration of Jacob Chambers, # 2 Exhibit 1 to Declaration, # 3 Exhibit 2 to Declaration, # 4 Proposed Order) Noting Date 8/11/2026, (Nobile, Diana) (Entered: 07/14/2026) 1 Exhibit Declaration of Jacob Chambers View on RECAP 2 Exhibit 1 to Declaration View on RECAP 3 Exhibit 2 to Declaration View on RECAP 4 Proposed Order View on RECAP	RECAP
13	July 21, 2026	APPLICATION OF ATTORNEY Gregory K. McGillivary FOR LEAVE TO APPEAR PRO HAC VICE for All Plaintiffs (Fee Paid) Receipt No. AWAWDC-9843874 (Skalbania, Alex) (Entered: 07/21/2026)	RECAP
14	July 21, 2026	ORDER re 13 Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The Court ADMITS Attorney Gregory K McGillivary for United Power Trades Organization, by Clerk Joshua C. Lewis. 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).(ELS) (Entered: 07/21/2026)	RECAP
	July 21, 2026	Order on Application for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice
15	July 23, 2026	AFFIDAVIT of Mailing of Summons and Complaint to Lieutenant General William H. Graham, Jr. on 7/15/2026, filed by All Plaintiffs. (Nobile, Diana) (Entered: 07/23/2026)	RECAP
16	Aug. 4, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by attorney James C. Strong on behalf of Defendants William H Graham, Jr, Peter Hegseth, Donald J Trump. (Strong, James) (Entered: 08/04/2026)	RECAP
17	Aug. 4, 2026	Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time re 12 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction to Respond to Motion for Preliminary Injunction, filed by All Defendants. Noting Date 8/4/2026, (Strong, James) (Entered: 08/04/2026)	RECAP
18	Aug. 4, 2026	MINUTE ORDER (text only): The Court DENIES without prejudice Defendants' 17 motion to extend time to respond to Plaintiff's motion for preliminary injunction for failure to show good cause and for violation of the local rules. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(b)(1) ("When an act may or must be done within a specified time, the court may, for good cause, extend the time[.]"); LCR 7(j) ("A motion for relief from a deadline should, whenever possible, be filed sufficiently in advance of the deadline to allow the court to rule on the motion prior to the deadline. Parties should not assume that the motion will be granted and must comply with the existing deadline unless the court orders otherwise."). Authorized by Judge Lauren King. (KRA) (Entered: 08/04/2026)	RECAP
19	Aug. 4, 2026	Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time re 12 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and [Proposed Order], filed by All Defendants. Noting Date 8/4/2026, (Strong, James) (Entered: 08/04/2026)	RECAP
20	Aug. 4, 2026	DECLARATION of James C. Strong filed by All Defendants re 19 Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time re 12 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and [Proposed Order] (Strong, James) (Entered: 08/04/2026)	RECAP
	Aug. 4, 2026	Order on Motion for Extension of Time-Other
21	Aug. 5, 2026	MINUTE ORDER (text only): The Court GRANTS Defendants' 19 unopposed motion to extend time to respond to Plaintiff's motion for preliminary injunction based on the unique circumstances here. Plaintiff filed its July 14, 2026 motion prior to the appearance of any attorney for Defendants, and therefore mailed its motion to Defendants. Dkt. No. 20 at 1. The mailed motion was not received by the U.S. Attorney's Office until July 20, 2026. Id. Due to an unknown administrative mistake, defense counsel never received a copy of the motion for preliminary injunction, and only on 8/4/2026 became aware of the motion "after happening upon a scanned version of it" saved on a shared file drive. Dkt. No. 20 at 1. On that day, counsel filed a notice of appearance and the motion to extend time to respond. Dkt. Nos. 16, 19 . Under these unique circumstances (including but not limited to the fact that an extension would have been justified by the delay caused by mailing the motion alone), the Court finds good cause to extend the deadline. Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(b)(1)(A). Defendants' response is due by 8/18/2026; any reply from Plaintiff is due by 8/25/2026. LCR 7(d)(4). Authorized by Judge Lauren King. (NAW) (Entered: 08/05/2026)	RECAP
	Aug. 5, 2026	Order on Motion for Extension of Time-Other
22	Aug. 18, 2026	Response to Motion	RECAP
23	Aug. 25, 2026	Reply to Response to Motion	RECAP

show / hide docket entries

Case Details

State / Territory:

Washington

Case Type(s):

Labor Rights

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Appointments/Civil Service

Key Dates

Filing Date: June 16, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Independent labor union representing approximately 545 civilian employees of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Pacific Northwest

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

Donald Trump

Lieutenant General William H. Graham, Jr.

Pete Hegseth

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens

Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process: Procedural Due Process

Freedom of speech/association

Takings

Other Dockets:

Western District of Washington 2:26-cv-02107

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Relief Granted:

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Retaliation

Discrimination Area:

Conditions of Employment (including assignment, transfer, hours, working conditions, etc.)

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:

Civil Service

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of United Power Trades Organization v. Trump, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48301/ (last updated 7/28/2026).