Administration Reveals Federal Worker Layoffs as Shutdown Nears Three-Week Mark
The White House disclosed the start of federal worker layoffs on the end of the week, following through on prior threats linked to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third straight week.
Official Announcement and Early Information
Russell Vought wrote on a public platform that “reductions in force have begun,” referring to the official procedure for letting employees go.
While the official did not specify which departments were affected, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that layoff warnings had been issued within that department. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security representative noted that layoffs would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Also, a union for federal workers confirmed that employees at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts.
Labor Reaction and Court Actions
Union leaders cautions that the layoffs would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by the public and vowed to challenge the moves in court.
This is shameful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide essential functions to communities across the country,” stated a national union president, representing the AFGE.
The largest labor federation in the US responded to the news, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”
Political Standoff and Funding Battle
Congressional Democrats have refused to support a GOP-supported bill to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until the following week, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be resolved before then.
During a press conference, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican proposal, which was approved in the House on a near party-line vote.
“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” Johnson stated. Beginning shortly, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”
Judicial and Practical Limits
Last week, unions sought a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any layoffs during the shutdown. Additionally, a court official directed the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, affected agencies, and if any federal employees had been recalled to carry out layoffs.
A report argued that a government shutdown limits the authority of the government to conduct terminations, referencing guidance that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired.
Impact on Workers
These terminations took place on the same day that government employees got only a partial paycheck for the final days of September but excluding the start of October, since appropriations expired at the start of the month.
A public service advocate, the head of the advocacy group, condemned the gridlock’s impact on government workers.
This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have not succeeded to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate said. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this funding crisis.”
A notable point is that members of Congress and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries amid the shutdown.