🔗 Share this article

The White House disclosed the start of federal worker layoffs on Friday, following through on earlier warnings linked to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Official Announcement and Initial Details

The director of the White House budget office posted on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official procedure for letting employees go.

While the official did not specify which agencies were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been issued within that department. Additionally, a DHS representative indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the CISA. Moreover, a union representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Court Actions

Union leaders warned that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and pledged to challenge the moves in court.

“It is disgraceful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire thousands of workers who deliver critical services to the public across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the announcement, declaring, “Labor organizations will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have refused to vote for a GOP-supported legislation to restore funding unless it includes provisions related to health policy. After multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the deadlock is unlikely to be ended soon.

During a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican bill, which passed in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from carrying out any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge directed the government to disclose details on termination strategies, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been brought back to execute staff reductions.

An analysis contended that a funding lapse restricts the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, citing official advice that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

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

Max Stier, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s impact on government workers.

This is unjust to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations open and operational,” Stier stated. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not responsible for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are still receiving salaries during the shutdown.