Federal judge orders Bureau of Prisons to reinstate union contracts

U.S. District Judge Vernon Oliver has ordered the Bureau of Prisons to reinstate its collective bargaining agreements with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). This marks the second time in two months that a federal judge has intervened regarding the agency's attempts to terminate these contracts.

The ruling follows a dispute in which the Bureau issued a second termination notice shortly after a preliminary injunction had been issued to protect the agreements. Judge Oliver described the Bureau's attempt to re-terminate the contracts as impermissible “self help,” noting that the second cancellation occurred while the court was still determining the validity of the initial termination.

While the judge did not hold the agency in contempt, he ruled that the second termination notice violated his prior order. The Bureau had previously argued that its actions were distinct administrative acts, but the court found the move was an attempt to bypass judicial restrictions.