🔗 Share this article

Administration officials confirmed the initiation of federal worker layoffs on Friday, making good 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 Early Information

The director of the White House budget office posted on a public platform that “RIFs have begun,” indicating the official process for terminating staff.

While the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson confirmed that notices had been distributed within that agency. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would take place at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers confirmed that members at the Education Department would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Legal Challenges

Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “devastating effects” on public services used by the public and vowed to challenge the moves in the legal system.

“It is disgraceful that the administration has used the government shutdown as an pretext to wrongfully terminate thousands of workers who provide critical services to the public across the country,” said Everett Kelley, who leads the American Federation of Government Employees.

The largest labor federation in the US reacted to the news, declaring, “America’s unions will see you in court.”

Legislative Impasse and Funding Battle

Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a Republican-backed legislation to restore funding unless it contains provisions related to health policy. Following multiple unsuccessful votes, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until next Tuesday, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be resolved before then.

At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, the speaker, criticized Senate Democrats for rejecting the GOP bill, which was approved in the House on a near party-line vote.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live on tight budgets, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Last week, unions sought a court injunction to block the government from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a federal judge directed the administration to disclose details on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any federal employees had been recalled to carry out layoffs.

An analysis contended that a funding lapse limits the ability of the administration to carry out firings, citing official advice that acknowledged any permanent layoffs need to have been started prior to the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

The layoffs occurred on the very day that federal workers received only a incomplete payment for the end of the previous month but not the start of October, since appropriations expired at the start of the period.

A public service advocate, the president of the advocacy group, condemned the political stalemate’s impact on government workers.

“It is wrong to make government staff bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the administration have failed to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate stated. The flight regulators, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and safety officials are not at fault for this funding crisis.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the shutdown.