🔗 Share this article

Administration officials disclosed the start of government employee terminations on the end of the week, making good on prior threats linked to the ongoing 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,” indicating the government’s process for terminating staff.

Although the official provided no details on which agencies were impacted, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been issued within that agency. Furthermore, a Department of Homeland Security representative indicated that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a union representing federal workers announced that employees at the Education Department would be impacted by the reduction in force.

Labor Reaction and Legal Challenges

Union leaders warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on services relied upon by the public and vowed to challenge the actions in court.

“It is disgraceful that the government has exploited the government shutdown as an pretext to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who deliver essential functions to communities across the country,” stated Everett Kelley, who leads the AFGE.

The AFL-CIO responded to the news, saying, “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 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, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be ended before then.

At a press conference, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, criticized 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 government employees will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker said. “Starting next week, American service members, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.”

Judicial and Practical Limits

Previously, labor groups filed for a court injunction to prevent the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the shutdown. Additionally, a federal judge ordered the administration to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any government staff had been brought back to execute layoffs.

A report argued that a government shutdown restricts the ability of the administration to conduct terminations, citing official advice that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been started prior to the funding expired.

Consequences for Employees

These terminations occurred on the very day that government employees got only a partial paycheck covering the end of the previous month but not the beginning of October, since appropriations lapsed at the start of the month.

A public service advocate, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the gridlock’s impact on government workers.

“It is wrong 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 air traffic controllers, VA nurses, wildland firefighters and safety officials are not responsible for this government shutdown.”

A notable point is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the shutdown.