Prison Union Filed Contempt Motion Against Bureau of Prisons
The National Council of Prison Locals alleges the Bureau of Prisons failed to uphold a court-ordered collective agreement.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Unions
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The National Council of Prison Locals has filed a contempt motion against the Bureau of Prisons for failing to honor a recent court order. The union, which represents 30,000 employees, claims the agency continues to violate a collective bargaining agreement.
Why it matters
The union alleges that Bureau of Prisons leadership is actively stonewalling operations and refusing to restore necessary union resources. This move follows a period of friction after the contract was initially terminated in 2025.
The National Council of Prison Locals filed the motion on October 6, 2026, following a September 29 preliminary injunction. The collective bargaining agreement is currently slated to expire in May 2028.
The players
National Council of Prison Locals
This labor organization represents approximately 30,000 Bureau of Prisons employees nationwide.
William Marshall
He serves as the Director of the Bureau of Prisons and oversaw the termination of the collective bargaining agreement.
Vernon Oliver
He is a U.S. District Judge who granted a preliminary injunction against the agency in September 2026.
Donald Trump
He is the current President of the United States who issued an executive order regarding federal unions in March 2025.
The details
The motion follows reports that a Bureau of Prisons employee was terminated on October 5 without union representation. The union also alleges management locked officials out of offices at FCI Mendota and stated the union no longer exists.
Timeline
March 2025: President Trump issued an executive order regarding federal unions.
Sept. 25, 2025: William Marshall terminated the collective bargaining agreement.
Sept. 29, 2026: Judge Vernon Oliver granted a preliminary injunction.
Oct. 2, 2026: The Justice Department filed a notice of compliance.
Oct. 6, 2026: The union filed a motion for contempt.
Political Context
This contempt filing directly challenges the Bureau of Prisons attempt to operate under the March 2025 executive order regarding federal unions. Critics and labor advocates argue such orders undermine established collective bargaining rights and federal labor law.
The ongoing legal battle impacts Bureau of Prisons employees by creating uncertainty regarding their workplace representation and disciplinary protections. If the court enforces the injunction, staff may see the restoration of union office access and official time.
The takeaway
This case highlights the ongoing tension between federal agencies and employee unions following significant executive branch policy shifts. Federal employees and labor advocates should monitor court dockets for developments regarding collective bargaining protections.
What happens next
The Bureau of Prisons intends to attempt to terminate the collective bargaining agreement again before its scheduled expiration in May 2028.
Further reading
For more on national labor disputes, visit the Unions section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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