Comey firing exposes danger public-sector workers face from political meddling

In response to President Trump’s abrupt firing of FBI Director James Comey on Tuesday, AFGE president J. David Cox Sr. said that “Now more than ever, we must uphold the principle that there be strong safeguards protecting the civil service from politically motivated firing.” Cox noted that “a strong, enforceable union contract is what stands between workers and politically motivated managers and political appointees.” Public sector unions warn that a bill passed by the House would strip away civil service protections and union rights and the Senate is about to consider similar legislation. “Under the legislation being considered,” Cox said, “nurses, housekeepers, and cemetery workers at the VA could be fired with the same ease that President Trump fired Mr. Comey. The case against them can be as weak and ‘trumped up’ as the reasons cited in the president’s termination notice to Mr. Comey.” Cox said that “We must stand up to those who would undermine due process, objectivity, and fairness in the administration of our government.”

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