🔗 Share this article

The White House disclosed the start of government employee layoffs on Friday, following through on earlier warnings in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is now poised to stretch into its third consecutive week.

Formal Statement and Early Information

The director of the White House budget office posted on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the government’s procedure for terminating staff.

While Vought did not specify which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson noted that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Moreover, a labor organization representing federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be affected by the reduction in force.

Union Response and Court Actions

Labor representatives cautions that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by the public and pledged to contest the actions in the legal system.

This is shameful that the government has used the government shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to communities nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE.

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

Political Standoff and Funding Battle

Lawmakers from the Democratic party have declined to support a Republican-backed legislation to reopen the government unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. After repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have put the chamber in recess until the following week, indicating the deadlock is not expected to be ended before then.

At a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, the speaker, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican proposal, which passed in the House on a largely partisan basis.

“This is the last paycheck that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and reopen the government,” the speaker said. Beginning shortly, military personnel, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.”

Legal and Operational Constraints

Last week, unions filed for a temporary restraining order to block the government from carrying out any layoffs during the shutdown. Moreover, a court official directed the administration to provide specifics on layoff plans, impacted departments, and if any government staff had been recalled to carry out staff reductions.

A report contended that a government shutdown limits the ability of the administration to carry out firings, referencing official advice that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated before the shutdown began.

Impact on Workers

These terminations occurred on the very day that government employees received only a incomplete payment for the end of the previous month but not the beginning of the current month, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the period.

A public service advocate, the head of the advocacy group, criticized the gridlock’s effect on federal employees.

This is unjust to make federal employees suffer because our elected officials in Congress and the White House have failed to keep our government open and operational,” the advocate said. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not at fault for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that lawmakers and top administration officials are continuing to be paid during the shutdown.