🔗 Share this article

Administration officials confirmed the initiation of federal worker terminations on the end of the week, following through on prior threats in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office wrote on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official procedure for terminating staff.

Although the official did not specify which departments were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been issued within that agency. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson noted that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union for federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Labor representatives cautions that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by the public and vowed to contest the moves in court.

This is shameful that the administration has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide critical services to the public nationwide,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO responded to the news, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be ended soon.

During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, criticized Senate Democrats for not supporting the GOP bill, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” Johnson stated. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups sought a temporary restraining order to block the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official ordered the government to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

A report argued that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the government to carry out firings, referencing guidance that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations took place on the same day that government employees received only a partial paycheck for the end of September but not the start of October, since appropriations lapsed at the beginning of the period.

Max Stier, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the gridlock’s effect on federal employees.

This is unjust to make government staff suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier stated. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

The irony is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid amid the funding gap.