Six unions walked out of congressionally mandated meetings with Defense Department management and union leaders on Monday. They are asking Congress to reverse new civil service rules put in place by the Department that affect 650,000 civilian workers. The NFFE, International Association of Machinists, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the National Association of Government Employees, the National Association of Independent Labor and the AFL-CIO Metal Trades Department all walked out in solidarity. The new rules would restrict union bargaining rights, eliminate seniority raise system in exchange for a rewards system and create strict disciplinary rules. The unions have begun to lobby Congress and expect a heated battle.