US Bureau of Prisons labor dispute

The U.S. Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is engaged in a legal dispute with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) regarding the termination of collective bargaining agreements. Following the September 2025 termination of union contracts by BOP Director William Marshall, U.S. District Judge Vernon Oliver issued a preliminary injunction ordering the immediate reinstatement of these agreements, noting the agency likely violated the Administrative Procedure Act.

In response to the court order, the AFGE filed a motion for a contempt ruling, alleging that agency leadership defied the injunction by failing to restore union access to office space and denying employees representation during disciplinary proceedings.

Despite the court's previous orders, BOP Director William K. Marshall III issued a memorandum re-terminating the collective bargaining agreement with the Council of Prison Locals 33. Marshall stated that while the initial termination had inconsistent rationales, the agency maintains the right to issue a new termination decision based on different reasons. AFGE President Everett Kelley characterized the move as an attempt to silence correctional officers.

In October 2026, Judge Oliver issued a new ruling ordering the BOP to reinstate the contracts, marking the second time a federal judge has intervened in two months. The judge described the agency’s second termination notice as impermissible ‘self help,’ noting that the 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, rejecting the Bureau’s argument that the move was a distinct administrative act.