APWU – 5/20/25 – On March 18, 2025, three conservative lawmakers in the House of Representatives introduced the Paycheck Protection Act (H.R. 2174), which would restrict all federal and postal unions from deducting union dues from employee paychecks, if it becomes law. In addition to union dues, this bill aims to restrict deductions for “fees or political contributions,” which may mean many other deductions, such as the Committee on Political Action (COPA) and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).

The bill, introduced by Rep. Eric Burlison (RMO- 07) and cosponsored by Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL-15) and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC-01), was voted favorably out of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on March 25. Now, lawmakers can move this bill to the House floor for a vote, which has not yet been scheduled as of the publication of this issue of The American Postal Worker.

For years, voluntary payroll deductions have been used as an efficient and economical way for employees to pay certain bills. By targeting union dues, lawmakers are taking direct aim at labor unions’ self-funding. Ultimately, it would be harder for workers to pay their union dues, and therefore the union would have fewer resources to fight grievances and collectively bargain.

While lawmakers argue that this bill protects your freedom – in reality, union dues are completely voluntary and always authorized by postal and federal workers themselves. The so-called “Paycheck Protection Act” places unnecessary burdens on the APWU and could dismantle our union.

The APWU’s Legislative and Political Department is closely monitoring this bill and will continue to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to fight against this bill moving any further, but we need your help. Contact your congressional representatives in the House and urge them to strongly oppose H.R. 2174, the Paycheck Protection Act

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Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Advances Rep. Burlison’s Paycheck Protection Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — 3/26/25 – Yesterday, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform reported favorably H.R. 2174, the Paycheck Protection Act, to ensure federal employees control their own money by ending automatic paycheck deductions for union dues, fees, and political contributions.

“The government takes money from federal workers’ paychecks for union dues, even if the workers disagree with how the money’s used, and the taxpayers are on the hook for the administrative costs,” said Rep. Burlison. “If someone wants to pay union dues, they can do so directly.”

The bill amends Title 5 and Title 39 of the U.S. Code to prohibit federal agencies and the U.S. Postal Service from deducting labor union dues, fees, or political contributions from employees’ wages. Instead, federal workers would make those payments voluntarily.

Key Provisions:  

• Restores worker choice – Employees decide how they contribute to unions.
• Ends taxpayer-funded union collection services – The government should not process union dues.
• Promotes transparency – Workers have more control over their earnings.

“This is about protecting paychecks and ensuring that every dollar a worker earns is their decision to spend—not a decision made for them,” Burlison added.

The bill now moves to the House floor for consideration.

Co-Sponsors: Representatives Mary Miller, Nancy Mace

Group Support: Institute for the American Worker, Heritage Action for America, American for Tax Reform, Americas for Prosperity, Freedom Foundation, Mackinac Center for Public Policy