Grievance Letter Example for Federal Employees
Ways to fight in a sea of uncertainty
One of these days, I’ll regale the reader with tales of a past life. My stubborn noncompliance is legendary in a few niche circles. In fact, prior to this coup, I’d convinced myself after decades of butting heads with authority that I was the problem. All of those times where I’d went toe-to-toe with people well above my pay grade and/or social status were just as they’d all said.
“You’re so negative.”
“Why do you always focus on the bad?”
“This isn’t you’re fight.”
The past few weeks have terrified me, yet been illuminating. All of the battles spanning my entire life had nothing to do with my inherent negativity or eagerness to fight. I fought because I’ve been victimized and abused, and I refuse to go quietly! When I’ve taken up the fight for a victim, I’m strengthening our collective security and power. I’m also showing a little something called empathy.
It’s in that spirit that I offer my recent grievance letter as a Federal employee covered by a Union. This specific example concerns telework, but can be modified to fit your specific scenario. This is about slowing down antagonistic actions against us and dampening their effects. I encourage you to take, adjust, and reuse as you see fit.
[NAME]
[POSITION]
[ORGANIZATION]
[LOCATION]
[PHONE]
[OTHER CONTACT]
February 11, 2025
To: [IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR NAME]
[POSITION]
[ORGANIZATION]
[LOCATION]
SUBJECT: Grievance - Revocation of Telework Without Union Consultation
[IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR],
I am filing this grievance pursuant to [ARTICLE] of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between [FEDERAL ORGANIZATION] and [UNION ORGANIZATION] regarding revocation of telework privileges without prior Union consultation.
On [DATE YOU RECEIVED RETURN TO OFFICE ORDERS], [NOTIFYING ENTITY] informed me that my telework agreement would be revoked in accordance with and Executive Order from the President of the United States. However, under [ARTICLE, SECTION] of the CBA, the employer is required to provide reasonable advance written notice to the Union and an opportunity to negotiate before implementing changes to established personnel policies, practices, or working conditions.
To my knowledge, the union was not consulted before the decision was enforced across the entire organization, which constitutes a clear violation of the negotiated agreement and my rights as an employee as determined by the CBA.
Additionally, [ARTICLE, SECTION] of the CBA affirms the Union’s right to represent all employees in matter affecting conditions of employment, and [ARTICLE, SECTION] states that meetings should occur before implementing any new or changed policy, practice, or procedure affecting employees. The lack of Union involvement in this matter denies employees the right to representation and negotiation as required by the CBA.
This abrupt change in working conditions has had a direct impact on me. The revocation of telework without representation has resulted in increased financial burden, commuting challenges, and potential disruption of productivity. Furthermore, employees who previously had formal telework agreements may be experiencing unnecessary hardship due to lack of transition period or alternate arrangement.
Proposed Remedy
Immediate reinstatement of telework privileges until proper union consultation is conducted.
A formal discussion between Management and the Union regarding the impact of policy changes and potential alternatives.
A commitment from Management to adhere to [ARTICLE] of the CBA, ensuring future changes to working conditions follow proper negotiation procedures.
I appreciate your attention to this matter and expect a written response within [X] calendar days, as outlined in [ARTICLE,SECTION] of the CBA. If this issue is not resolved at this level I will consider escalating to appropriate degrees.
Please confirm receipt of this grievance and direct any correspondence to [EMAIL].
Sincerely,
[NAME]
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The Reckless Purge: Firing Thousands Without a Plan
Leadership isn’t about destruction for the sake of optics. It isn’t about grand gestures that grab headlines but leave chaos in their wake. And yet, here we are—watching the mass firing of thousands of federal employees, with zero plan for how to replace the critical work they did.
This isn’t efficiency.
This isn’t reform.
This is self-sabotage on a national scale.
The cost of this reckless publicity stunt will far outweigh any short-term PR benefit. The narrative of “draining the swamp” or “saving the country” collapses under the weight of staggering incompetencewhen there’s no plan to fill the void left behind.
What Happens When Expertise is Erased?
For decades, the federal workforce has been a backbone of stability, ensuring the daily functions of government—regardless of which party holds power. These are not nameless bureaucrats sitting idly at desks. These are scientists, policy experts, national security analysts, air traffic controllers, financial regulators, disaster response coordinators, and public health officials.
Now, thousands of them are gone.
So what happens next?
• Social Security & Medicare delays – Processing claims and benefits doesn’t happen by itself. Cutting staff means seniors and disabled Americans will wait longer for the assistance they need.
• Disaster relief failure – Who will coordinate FEMA responses when the next hurricane, wildfire, or earthquake devastates a community?
• Regulatory collapse – Without oversight, corporations will run unchecked, environmental protections will vanish, and those like Elon Musk will take full advantage of the chaos.
• National security risks – Intelligence analysts don’t simply appear overnight. Gaps in counterterrorism, cyber defense, and military logistics could take years to rebuild—if they ever recover at all.
And let’s not forget the thousands of lawsuits, contract breaches, and financial penalties that will arise when fired employees contest their dismissals—or when government programs fail to meet their legal obligations.
The cost? Billions. The damage? Immeasurable.
Destroying to Rebuild… What, Exactly?
If there were a plan—a streamlined approach to reassign roles, retrain workers, and ensure continuity of essential functions—perhaps there would be room for debate. But this isn’t a plan—it’s a demolition.
Who takes over?
Are we outsourcing national security to unvetted private contractors? Will corporate executives step in to “regulate” themselves? Will loyalists with zero qualifications be installed into positions where competence should matter more than allegiance?
There is no strategy—just chaos for chaos’ sake.
This Isn’t “Draining the Swamp.” It’s Drowning the Country.
Tearing down institutions without a plan is not reform. It is deliberate destabilization.
For all the talk of “fighting corruption”, this purge ensures that those with the most power now have even fewer checks on their actions. The system isn’t being saved—it’s being set on fire.
And the ones who will suffer the most? The everyday citizens who rely on these institutions to function.
Public servants weren’t the problem. But the reckless destruction of government just might be.
If the goal is to dismantle democracy and rebuild something unrecognizable, then mission accomplished.
But if the goal is to serve the American people, then this is the gravest failure of leadership in modern history. 🌗✨
I made my first phone calls to my congressman yesterday. It went well. I registered my concern, fear, anger, displeasure at what has been wrought. 2 hrs later, I see that "the one that shall not be named" was summoned to the WH to 'splain himself. The phone calls are working. I suggest we do an avalanche of postcards and I am not joking.