Exclusion of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group From the Federal Labor-Management Relations Program

President Clinton signed an executive order excluding the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU/SEAL Team Six) from federal labor-management relations protections, citing its intelligence and national security functions. The order amends a 1979 Carter-era executive order by adding this unit to the list of agencies exempt from collective bargaining rights.

Federal Register Open PDF 62 FR 12529

Key directives

Amend Executive Order 12171 by adding '(i) Naval Special Warfare Development Group' to section 1-205
Exclude DEVGRU from Chapter 71 of title 5 (Federal Labor-Management Relations Program)

Timeline

Immediate

Exemption takes effect upon signing (March 11, 1997)
DEVGRU removed from Federal Labor-Management Relations Program coverage

Near term (90d)

Union representation challenges or litigation possible
DOD/ Navy implementation of personnel policy adjustments

Long term

Precedent for excluding other special operations or intelligence units from collective bargaining
Established framework for national security exemptions in federal labor law

Risks & tensions

Limited recourse for affected personnel to challenge working conditions through union channels
Potential tension between national security justifications and federal employee rights—text provides no detail on scope of exclusion or appeal mechanisms
Classification of 'primary function' is determined unilaterally by Presidential authority; no independent review process stated