Portside

The settlement comes years after the American Federation of Government Employees filed a grievance against the Dept. of Veteran Affairs for carrying out mass firings in violation of the union's collective bargaining agreement.

While employee unions are vowing to continue their fight against the orders, agencies are taking steps to strip the groups of their previously enjoyed rights and perks. Unions likely to face evictions, severe restrictions on official time.

“This has been a terrible 18 months-plus for working people in this country,” said Celine McNicholas, director of labor law and policy at the Economic Policy Institute. “It’s an unprecedented attack on workers.”