Statement from Workplace Fairness on the Attempts to Remove MSPB Chair
We recently expressed our deep concerns regarding the firings of EEOC and NLRB commissioners and General Counsels of those bodies, and renew these concerns in light of new reports that the new administration is also attempting to remove Cathy Harris, Chair of the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). This move threatens the integrity of an institution vital to protecting the workplace rights of federal employees and ensuring due process.
The MSPB’s Senate-confirmed leadership is designed to be insulated from political pressure to maintain fairness. Removing Chair Harris undermines this principle and sets a dangerous precedent for politicizing worker protections.
The direct attack on MSPB leadership puts federal employment protections at immediate risk, by jeopardizing the efficacy of a tribunal that serves, in many cases, as the sole means of recourse for federal employees subject to unfair and illegal conduct at work. As such, the MSPB plays a crucial role in upholding workplace equity and ensuring workplace fairness. Adding to this troubling situation, the Administration has already threatened broad swaths of the federal workforce with purported reductions in force, as well as seeking “deferred resignations.” Challenges to these types of actions are exactly what the MSPB was created to address, making the continued integrity and independence of the board even more critical in defending the rights of federal employees.
We reaffirm our commitment to fairness, transparency, and the rule of law in protecting workers. We call on policymakers and the public to reject these threats to worker protections and advocate for the preservation of institutions that serve justice and safeguard worker protections from political interference.
About Workplace Fairness
Workplace Fairness is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting fair treatment for workers across the nation. We provide resources, information, and advocacy for employees to understand and exercise their rights in the workplace. Our mission is to empower workers and advocate for policies that ensure equitable labor practices, strengthen workplace protections, and promote justice for all individuals in their employment experiences. With a focus on education and engagement, we strive to create a fairer workplace environment where every worker is respected and valued.
