Department of Education tech employees lose union protections

Summary

The Daily Scoop Podcast
Episode Title: Department of Education tech employees lose union protections
Date: February 4, 2026
Host: Billy Mitchell

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Episode Overview

This episode explores two major topics affecting the federal government:

1. The impact of a recent executive order resulting in over 100 Department of Education technology workers losing their union protections.
2. Tensions in the Middle East after a U.S. F-35 shot down an Iranian drone approaching a U.S. aircraft carrier, foreshadowing rising hostilities between the U.S. and Iran.

Billy Mitchell provides context and reactions from stakeholders, focusing especially on federal workforce rights and cybersecurity's evolving role in policy.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

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1. Loss of Union Protections for Department of Education Tech Employees

([00:30]–[03:32])

• What Happened:
  Over 100 tech employees in the Department of Education (Ed Dept), specifically from the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) and Federal Student Aid's Office of the Chief Technology Officer (FSA CTO), were informed they lost union protections "late last month".
• Reason Cited:
  This action follows a Trump executive order targeting positions with real or potential national security/cybersecurity functions, claiming these roles are incompatible with collective bargaining protections.
• Scope:
  The order affects about 120 staff, nearly nine months after its signing, as confirmed by AFGE Local 252, the union representing these employees.
• Union’s Response & Critique:
  • Rachel Gittleman (AFGE Local 252 president):
    • Challenges the rationale, arguing these positions aren’t tied to intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative, or national security work, as specified by the executive order.
    • Quote, [01:28]:

      "The Department of Education does not engage in any intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative or national security work, suggesting that the move is a way to strip labor rights away from the federal workforce."

    • Points to the FSA CTO’s focus on tech products (like FAFSA and Public Service Loan Forgiveness applications), not information resource management with security implications.
• Context:
  The broader order removed collective bargaining rights at some agencies and for certain positions across government defined as having intelligence or security functions.

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2. U.S. Military Shoots Down Iranian Drone in the Arabian Sea

([03:34]–[04:06])

• Incident Details:
  An American F-35C Lightning II fighter jet, launched from the USS Abraham Lincoln, shot down a Shahed-139 UAS drone after it aggressively approached a U.S. aircraft carrier—“with unclear intent,” per CENTCOM.
• Escalating Tensions:
  Shortly after the shootdown, two Iranian Revolutionary Guard ships and another drone approached a U.S.-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to seize it.
• Broader Context:
  Occurred days after President Trump threatened military action against Iran in response to the regime’s protest crackdowns, and on the eve of possible new nuclear negotiations.
  • Notable Moment, [03:48]:

    "The dual incidents could spell increased tensions between Washington and Tehran..."

• Outcome:
  No U.S. personnel or equipment were harmed. The incident highlights both the rapidly evolving role of military technology and the seriousness of regional security concerns.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rachel Gittleman – On the Relevance of the Executive Order ([01:28]):

  "The Department of Education does not engage in any intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative or national security work, suggesting that the move is a way to strip labor rights away from the federal workforce."

• Host Billy Mitchell – On the Broader Implications ([03:48]):

  "The dual incidents could spell increased tensions between Washington and Tehran after President Donald Trump threatened military action against Iran..."

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Important Segment Timestamps

• [00:30] — Details of Department of Education employees losing union protections
• [01:28] — Rachel Gittleman's statement/counterarguments
• [03:34] — U.S. F-35C shoots down Iranian drone, CENTCOM response
• [03:48] — Summary of rising U.S.–Iran tensions and context

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Tone & Style

Billy Mitchell maintains an objective, news-driven tone, while union leader Rachel Gittleman offers direct critique through her statement. The episode provides a factual, concise overview, balancing government policy explanations and on-the-ground reactions.

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Conclusion

In this episode, The Daily Scoop Podcast covers the intersection of federal workforce policy with cybersecurity and delves into new geopolitical tensions involving American and Iranian forces. The show highlights the controversial removal of union protections from Ed Dept tech staff, union pushback, and how the definition of “national security roles” is contested. It also briefly underlines the escalating situation in the Middle East following a U.S. military engagement with Iranian assets.

For more news at the intersection of government and technology, listeners are directed to fedscoop.com.

Transcript

[A]

Today on the Daily Scoop Podcast from the Scoop News Group, Department of Education tech employees lose their union protections and an American F35 pilot shoots down an Iranian drone in the Arabian sea. It's Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Welcome to the Daily Scoop Podcast where you'll hear the latest news and trends facing government leaders. I'm the host of the Daily Scoop Podcast, Billy Mitchell. Thanks so much for joining me. Now let's dive into today's top headlines. The Education Department's workers union is pushing back after more than 100 technology related employees lost their collective bargaining productions last month under an executive order citing national security and cybersecurity risks tied to their roles. About 120 employees in the agency's Office of the Chief Information Officer and Federal Student AIDS Office of the Chief Technology Officer were told late last month they no longer had union protections due to the nature of their positions, according to AFGE Local 252, which represents Education Department employees. The notification came nearly nine months after President Donald Trump signed an executive order ending collective bargaining rights for labor unions at various federal agencies. The order included some agencies in their entirety, along with some positions across the government that have a determined primary function involving intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative or national security work. While the CTO and OCIO employees work with technology that could have cybersecurity ties, AFGE Local 252 argues this does not involve intelligence work that would warrant such a ban. Rachel Gittleman, president of that Local 252 union chapter, said the Department of Education does not engage in any intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative or national security work, suggesting that the move is a way to strip labor rights away from the federal workforce. The FSA CTO office specifically does work on technology and products, but not information resources management, as the order states, Gittleman explained. FSA employees primarily focus on the office's website, income Driven Repayment applications, FAFSA and Public Service Loan Forgiveness applications. Now, in other news, an American stealth fighter jet shot down an Iranian one way attack drone in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday after it aggressively approached a US Aircraft carrier with unclear intent, according to a statement from U.S. central Command. Just hours after the shoot down, two Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ships accompanied by another unmanned aerial system approached a US Flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to board and seize the vessel. The statement from CENTCOM spokesperson captain Tim Hawkins said the dual incidents could spell increased tensions between Washington and Tehran after President Donald Trump threatened military action against Iran over its deadly suppression of protests last month and amid broader nuclear negotiations that could begin this week. The jet and F35C Lightning 2 launched from the USS Abraham Lincoln, which was transiting the Arabian Sea roughly 500 miles from Iran's southern coast, CENTCOM said. The CENTCOM statement did not identify the unit the jet belongs to, but Marine fighter Attack Squadron 314, the Black Knights were photographed by the military operating off the Lincoln several days ago. The long range Iranian drone, a Shahed139UAS known for its use in the Russia Ukraine war and being reverse engineered into a US Military one way attack drone, continued to fly toward the ship despite the escalatory measures taken by US forces operating in international waters, the command said. The F35C shot it down in self defense and to protect the Lincoln and her crew, according to the statement, which said that no service members were harmed and no American equipment was damaged. For more news at the intersection of the federal government and technology, make sure to visit fedscoop.com.

[B]

Thanks so much for tuning in to another episode of the Daily Scoop Podcast, available on all podcast platforms. If you've already rated the podcast on your platform of choice, thanks so much. High ratings and good reviews of the show help more people to find it. The Daily Scoop Podcast is a production of the Scoop News Group in Washington, dc. Adam Butler and Carlin Fisher help put the show together and the entire Scoop News Group team contributes. We'll be back tomorrow with more top headlines.

[A]

Until then, I'm your host.

[B]

As always, Billy Mitchell. Thanks so much for listening.

[A]

Sat.