Federal unions sue Trump over layoff threats in shutdown

[Thiệu Ngô]

Labor unions representing hundreds of thousands of government employees sued the Trump administration over its threats to fire federal workers during the government shutdown.

By Avery Lotz

The American Federation of Government Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees argue that the White House’s directives are unlawful and politically motivated.

The shutdown began after the Senate failed to pass a funding bill Tuesday. No compromise is currently in sight. The lawsuit names the Office of Management and Budget, led by Russell Vought, and the Office of Personnel Management, led by Scott Kupor, as defendants. It challenges an OMB memorandum urging agencies to issue “Reduction in Force” notices to employees in programs not aligned with the president’s priorities.

Union lawyers say the guidance is an attempt to punish federal workers and pressure Congress, citing partisan language on agency websites. The case has been assigned to District Judge Vince Chhabria.

During shutdowns, agencies decide which staff are “excepted” from furloughs. Updated OPM guidance authorizes work to proceed on RIF notices, which unions argue violates federal law. President Donald Trump has said “a lot” of employees could lose their jobs.