Worker Policy Watch
Your source for accurate and reliable information on how federal policies are shaping workers’ rights—and what’s at stake for working people nationwide under the Trump administration.
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Federal Judge Indefinitely Blocks Mass Layoffs of Federal Workers During Shutdown
U.S. District Judge Susan Illston, who had issued the emergency order to block the Trump administration from issuing new layoff notices or implementing layoff notices during the government shutdown, indefinitely barred the Trump administration from doing so by issuing a temporary restraining order.
Impact:
Federal agencies are enjoined from issuing layoff notices or acting on notices issued since the government shut down Oct. 1.
Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Mass Layoffs of Federal Workers During Shutdown
U.S. District Judge Susan Illston issued the emergency order to block the Trump administration for issuing new layoff notices or implementing layoff notices sent out last Friday to federal workers.
Impact: The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and other federal labor unions had asked Judge Illston for a temporary restraining order, saying the layoffs are an illegal abuse of power by the Trump administration.
Trump Begins Unlawful Layoffs of Federal Workers During Government Shutdown
The Trump administration has begun laying off thousands of federal workers in an effort to reduce the federal workforce during the government shutdown and pressure Democrat members of congress to accept his demands.
Impact:
An estimated four thousand federal workers across seven major departments and agencies received layoff notices on Friday, October 10. Unions representing federal workers quickly denounced the attempted firings as illegal and criticized the Trump administration for trying to use federal workers as a bargaining chip for Republicans in the government shutdown.
The Trump Administration Threatens to Withhold Backpay from Federal Employees Once the Shutdown Ends
In spite of the very clear language of The Government Employee Fair Treament Act of 2019, which Trump himself signed into law, he and his administration claim they don't have to give federal employees backpay once they return to work.
Impact:
This is the latest example of the administration using hard working public servants as pawns in their political fights. There is no basis in law, fact, or historical tradition to deny backpay.
Black Women Disproportionately Impacted By Trump Administration Layoffs and Policy Changes
Around 300,000 Black women have exited the labor force in the U.S. in the past three months driven largely by layoffs and policy changes under the Trump administration, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics and other experts.
Impact:
In addition to the mass firings and layoffs of federal workers, the Trump administration’s crackdown on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility has changed the workforce landscape in the corporate world, leading to large numbers of Black women leaving the workforce.
Unions File Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Over Plans For Mass Layoffs During the Government Shutdown
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) filed a lawsuit today challenging the mass layoff plans the Trump administration has instructed for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) during the government shutdown.
Impact:
The Federal government officially shutdown at 12:01amET on Wednesday, October 1st. The lawsuit, filed on September 30th, alleges that OPM is unlawfully directing agencies to issue mass reduction of force (RIF) notices that could strip employees of back pay rights (currently required by law), violate agencies’ statutory duties, and target workers whose jobs are essential during a shutdown. The lawsuit also names as defendants the Office of Personnel Management and its Director Scott Kupor, which issued unprecedented instructions that federal employees may perform work during the federal government shutdown in order to carry out mass RIFs, in violation of the law.
The Bureau of Prisons Cancels its Union Contracts
This is the latest move by the Trump administration to deny workers their rights to collectively bargain over the terms and conditions of their employment.
Impact:
The CBAs for BOP workers were largely aimed at making sure they had safe working conditions, given the risks inherent in working in federal prisons. Workers are rightly worried about their health and safety, especially in light of the government shutdown.
Trump Orders Payment of $100,000 for Any New Visas Issued to Foreign Workers in Certain Highly Skilled Professions
This payment is designed to try to stem abuse of this program and instead make sure employers make adequate efforts to fill the positions with people already living in the United States.
Impact: With the new fee applying only to new visas and not to existing visa holders, it remains to be seen just how effective the new policy will be.
Trump Issues “The Gold Card” Executive Order, Allowing People and Employers To Purchase Immigration Visas for $1 Million and $2 Million Respectively
Visas are very hard to come by, with many people waiting more than a decade to immigrate to the United States to escape oppressive conditions and be reunited with family members.
Impact: The United States will now start the unseemly practice of selling visas to those who can afford to spend exhorbitant amounts of money, rather than those who have waited in line and have compelling reasons to immigrate.
The Centers for Disease Control End Telework for Workers With Disabilities Who Need Reasonable Accommodations
The federal government is required to provide reasonable accommodations to workers with disabilities so they can perform their jobs. Often, teleworking is the most effective accommodation.
Impact: Once the current accommodations expire, workers with disabilities will find it much more difficult to continue working at the CDC, perhaps leading to further reductions in an already depleted and much needed workforce.