🔗 Share this article Administration Announces Federal Worker Job Cuts as Shutdown Approaches Three-Week Mark The White House confirmed the start of government employee layoffs on the end of the week, following through on earlier warnings in response to the continuing US government shutdown, which is now poised to extend into its third consecutive week. Formal Statement and Initial Details The director of the White House budget office wrote on social media that “RIFs have begun,” referring to the official process for letting employees go. While the official did not specify which agencies were affected, a treasury spokesperson stated that notices had been distributed within that department. Additionally, a DHS spokesperson noted that staff reductions would also occur at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Moreover, a labor organization for federal workers announced that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the reduction in force. Labor Reaction and Court Actions Union leaders cautions that the terminations would have “severe consequences” on public services relied upon by millions of Americans and vowed to contest the actions in court. This is shameful that the government has used the government shutdown as an excuse to wrongfully terminate numerous employees who provide critical services to communities nationwide,” stated Everett Kelley, representing the AFGE. The AFL-CIO reacted to the news, saying, “America’s unions will see you in court.” Political Standoff and Funding Battle Congressional Democrats have refused to vote for a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government unless it includes healthcare-centered concessions. After repeated failed attempts, the GOP leadership in the Senate have put the chamber in recess until the following week, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be resolved before then. At a media briefing, the GOP leader in the House, Mike Johnson, blasted opposition lawmakers for rejecting the GOP proposal, which was approved in the lower chamber on a largely partisan basis. Federal workers’ final pay that government employees will see until opposition leaders decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” the speaker stated. “Starting next week, American service members, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a full paycheck.” Legal and Operational Constraints Last week, labor groups filed for a temporary restraining order to prevent the administration from implementing any reductions in force during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official ordered the government to disclose details on termination strategies, affected agencies, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to execute layoffs. A report contended that a government shutdown limits the authority of the administration to carry out firings, citing official advice that acknowledged any long-term staff cuts need to have been initiated prior to the funding expired. Consequences for Employees The layoffs took place on the same day that government employees received only a incomplete payment covering the end of September but excluding the beginning of the current month, since funding lapsed at the start of the period. Max Stier, the head of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, condemned the gridlock’s effect on federal employees. “It is wrong to make federal employees bear the burden because our elected officials in the legislature and the administration have not succeeded to keep our federal operations open and operational,” the advocate stated. “Our flight regulators, veterans’ healthcare providers, wildland firefighters and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.” A notable point is that lawmakers and senior White House leaders are continuing to be paid during the shutdown.