Unions expand lawsuit against Trump administration over federal firings

Federal Court Blocks Administration's Firing Plans Amid Shutdown

SAN FRANCISCO – In a significant legal development, a federal court has extended its directive preventing the Trump administration from dismissing federal employees due to the ongoing government shutdown. This decision comes as a lawsuit spearheaded by labor unions proceeds through the courts.

Union attorneys argued before Judge Susan Illston of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on October 28, claiming that the administration violated the law by threatening dismissals of furloughed federal workers and requiring unpaid work during the shutdown. The unions are represented by Altshuler Berzon LLP, Democracy Defenders Fund, and Democracy Forward.

Judge Illston's ruling grants a preliminary injunction to the unions, effectively preventing the execution of reductions-in-force during the shutdown. This builds on a temporary restraining order she had previously issued.

The legal battle was initiated by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) on September 30. The lawsuit now also includes employees represented by other unions such as the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), among others.

All Cabinet departments and 24 independent agencies are involved in the lawsuit, affecting programs and projects that involve any union members represented by the plaintiffs.

AFSCME President Lee Saunders stated, “Today’s ruling is another victory for federal workers and our ongoing efforts to protect their jobs from an administration hellbent on illegally firing them. Unlike the billionaires in this administration, public service workers dedicate themselves to serving their communities.”

AFGE National President Everett Kelley added, “President Trump is using the government shutdown as a pretense to illegally fire thousands of federal workers – specifically those employees carrying out programs and policies that the administration finds objectionable.”

Expressing her discontent, SEIU Executive Vice President Heather Conroy remarked, “Firing federal workers during a government shutdown is as cruel as it is unlawful. This administration has made clear whose side it’s on, siding with billionaires over working people time and time again.”

AFT President Randi Weingarten noted, “Today, the court acknowledged that federal workers and the people they serve are always the ones hurt when the government shuts down. President Trump and his allies have decided to prolong the healthcare emergency they created in July and then—rubbing salt into the wound—illegally fire tens of thousands of federal employees in a callous act of political retribution.”

NFFE National President Randy Erwin expressed, “NFFE is proud to fight for federal workers alongside our fellow unions and allies, and we are glad to see the court has affirmed our belief that the Trump Administration’s firings of civil servants are illegal and reckless.”

Highlighting the relief the decision brings, NAGE National President David J. Holway said, “The court’s decision brings relief to thousands of federal workers and their families who have spent weeks fearing for their jobs.”

IFPTE President Matt Biggs commented, “This federal court decision is the result of organized labor standing together and leading the fight against the administration’s unprecedented, politicized, and unlawful attack on federal workers’ rights.”

NTEU National President Doreen Greenwald remarked on the significance of the injunction, noting it ensures that federal workers’ jobs are not eliminated during the shutdown.

Danielle Leonard of Altshuler Berzon LLP stated, “Nothing about these shutdown RIFs is lawful. This administration cannot use federal employees as pawns in service of its partisan retribution.”

Democracy Defenders Fund's Executive Chair, Ambassador (ret.) Norm Eisen, emphasized, “Federal employees shouldn’t be treated by the administration as if they are bargaining chips.”

Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward, concluded, “This order is positive for the American people and a major blow to the Trump-Vance administration’s unlawful attempt to make the Project 2025 playbook a reality by targeting our nation’s career public servants.”