Judge Extends Order Blocking Shutdown Layoffs for Federal Workers

Federal Employees Secure Legal Victory Against Shutdown Layoffs

In a significant legal development, a federal judge has extended an order that prevents the Trump administration from laying off federal workers due to the ongoing government shutdown. This decision represents a major triumph for federal employees and their unions.

The ruling indefinitely prohibits any layoff actions linked to the shutdown across federal government offices where union members, such as those from AFSCME, are employed. This decision follows the unions' plea for a preliminary injunction to halt the administration's plans for reductions-in-force as a result of the shutdown. The injunction is an extension of a temporary restraining order that was initially secured by AFSCME and AFGE when they filed a lawsuit just before the shutdown began.

AFSCME President Lee Saunders expressed his satisfaction with the ruling, stating in a press release, “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.” He emphasized the dedication of public service workers to their communities, contrasting their situation with that of administration billionaires.

The injunction benefits AFSCME members working at various federal agencies, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Peace Corps, and the Departments of Agriculture and Justice. Since the year began, these workers have been vocal against the Trump administration's actions, gaining victories in court along the way. Read more about their efforts here.

Judge Susan Illston's decision was influenced by the personal stories shared by AFSCME members, including that of Dan Ronneberg, an Air Force veteran employed by the FAA and president of AFSCME Local 1653. In his court declaration, Ronneberg highlighted the life-threatening impact a layoff would have on him, given his recent kidney transplant and the high cost of necessary medications without insurance.

Judge Illston noted during a court hearing, “I think it’s important that we remember that although we are here talking about statutes and administrative procedure and the like, we are also talking about human lives, and these human lives are being dramatically affected by the activities that we’re discussing this morning.”

Initially filed on September 30, the case has since expanded to include numerous other unions, such as the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), now covering all cabinet-level federal agencies and 24 independent agencies.

Saunders reiterated the union's commitment: “We will keep fighting to protect public service jobs against this administration’s unlawful efforts to eliminate them.”