🔗 Share this article

The White House confirmed the start of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, making good on earlier warnings linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is set to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

Russell Vought wrote on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” indicating the government’s process for terminating staff.

While Vought provided no details on which departments were impacted, a representative from the Treasury Department stated that notices had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS representative indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

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

This is shameful that the government has exploited the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who provide essential functions to the public across the country,” said a national union president, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

The AFL-CIO reacted to the news, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Budget Dispute

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to reopen the government unless it contains provisions related to health policy. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the standoff is unlikely to be resolved before then.

During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted opposition lawmakers for not supporting the GOP proposal, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.

Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, unions sought a temporary restraining order to block the government from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Additionally, a federal judge directed the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been brought back to carry out staff reductions.

An analysis contended that a funding lapse restricts the ability of the government to conduct terminations, citing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated before the funding expired.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the very day that government employees received only a incomplete payment covering the end of the previous month but excluding the start of October, since funding lapsed at the start of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the political stalemate’s effect on federal employees.

This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations running,” the advocate stated. The air traffic controllers, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are still receiving salaries amid the shutdown.