BOP Re-terminates Union Contract Days After Court Ordered Its Restoration
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has re-terminated its collective bargaining agreement with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) for the second time, days after a federal judge ordered the agency to restore the contract. BOP Director William K. Marshall III issued a new termination notice on October 7, 2026, citing presidential executive orders, despite a September 29, 2026, preliminary injunction by Judge Vernon Oliver requiring immediate reinstatement until the contract expires in 2029. The agreement covers approximately 30,000 correctional officers and staff. AFGE has filed for civil contempt, alleging the agency ignored the court order and refused to provide union representation or official time. BOP claims it was in the process of reinstating the contract but re-terminated it before completion, arguing the court order did not prevent a new decision based on different legal grounds.