🔗 Share this article White House Reveals Government Worker Job Cuts as Shutdown Nears Third Week The White House disclosed the start of government employee layoffs on Friday, following through on prior threats in response to the ongoing US government shutdown, which is set to extend into its third straight 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 procedure for terminating staff. Although the official did not specify which departments were affected, a representative from the Treasury Department confirmed that notices had been distributed within that agency. Furthermore, a DHS spokesperson indicated that staff reductions would take place at the CISA. Also, a labor organization for federal workers confirmed that members at the Department of Education would be impacted by the staff cuts. Labor Reaction and Court Actions Labor representatives warned that the layoffs would have “severe consequences” on public services used by millions of Americans and pledged to contest the actions in court. This is shameful that the administration has used the funding lapse as an excuse to illegally fire numerous employees who deliver critical services to the public nationwide,” said a national union president, representing the AFGE. The largest labor federation in the US responded to the news, saying, “Labor organizations will see you in court.” Political Standoff and Funding Battle Congressional Democrats have declined to vote for a Republican-backed bill to restore funding unless it contains healthcare-centered concessions. Following repeated failed attempts, the Senate’s Republican leaders have adjourned the Senate until the following week, meaning the standoff is unlikely to be ended before then. During a media briefing, the Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, blasted Senate Democrats for not supporting the Republican bill, which was approved in the House on a largely partisan basis. Federal workers’ final pay that 700,000 federal workers will see until Washington Democrats decide to do their job and end the shutdown,” Johnson stated. “Starting next week, military personnel, who often live paycheck to paycheck, are going to miss a complete payment.” Judicial and Practical Limits Last week, labor groups sought a court injunction to block the administration from implementing any layoffs during the funding gap. Moreover, a court official ordered the government to provide specifics on termination strategies, impacted departments, and whether any federal employees had been recalled to execute staff reductions. An analysis argued that a funding lapse limits the authority of the administration to conduct terminations, referencing official advice that admitted any long-term staff cuts need to have been started before the funding expired. Impact on Workers These terminations took place on the very day that government employees got only a incomplete payment for the final days of the previous month but excluding the start of October, since funding expired at the beginning of the period. Max Stier, the president of the non-profit Partnership for Public Service, criticized the gridlock’s effect on federal employees. This is unjust to make federal employees bear the burden because our leaders in Congress and the administration have not succeeded to keep our government open and operational,” Stier stated. “Our air traffic controllers, VA nurses, smoke jumpers and food inspectors are not at fault for this government shutdown.” The irony is that members of Congress and top administration officials are still receiving salaries during the shutdown.