Union alleges Bureau of Prisons in contempt for failing to reinstate collective bargaining agreement

October 7, 2026 / 3:56 PM EDT / CBS News

Union alleges Bureau of Prisons in contempt for failing to reinstate collective bargaining agreement

TL;DR

  • A union representing 30,000 Bureau of Prisons employees filed a contempt request against the agency.
  • The union alleges the Bureau of Prisons is refusing to follow a federal judge's order to immediately restore their collective bargaining agreement.
  • The collective bargaining agreement was terminated on September 25, 2025, by Bureau of Prisons Director William Marshall.
  • The judge ruled that the union was likely to succeed on the merits of its argument that the BOP violated the Administrative Procedure Act.
  • The union claims the BOP is stonewalling and refusing to allow normal union operations, such as official union time and representation in disciplinary proceedings.
  • The Justice Department filed a "notice of compliance" stating the BOP was aware of and complying with the order, but also suggested the BOP could still re-terminate the agreement.
  • The Trump administration has previously attempted to limit collective bargaining agreements at federal agencies, including the Justice Department.