Wick posted the code for a tool that automatically downloads DMs from Twitter accounts. The code specifies Twitter accounts, which existed only until the social platform rebranded to “X” in October 2023, suggesting the possibility that the tool could be used to search through the digital past of government employees looking for disagreeable opinions or references.

Another tool appeared to be designed for collecting sensitive data from government agency org charts. The tool contained fields for capturing the employee’s office, a 1-5 satisfaction rating, union status, and whether or not their position is statutorily mandated.

Well, that’s interesting. The guys who are determining who to lay off are apparently using union status as an input.

Is the Executive Branch taking someone’s union status into account in making a firing decision legal? I’m pretty sure that it’s not for private business.

https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/the-law/discriminating-against-employees-because-of-their-union

Discriminating against employees because of their union activities or sympathies (Section 8(a)(3))

It is unlawful to discourage (or encourage) union activities or sympathies “by discrimination in regard to hire or tenure of employment or any term or condition of employment.” For example, employers may not discharge, lay off, or discipline employees, or refuse to hire job applicants, because they are pro-union.

I believe that that also applies to government. That seems like it might be some pretty juicy meat for the public sector union lawyers to work with.