Incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani is set to dismiss 179 employees from the administration of current Mayor Eric Adams. Notifications for these layoffs will occur on Wednesday. The majority of affected staff are based in and around City Hall.
Mamdani Team’s Major Layoff Announcement
Some affected employees expressed their dismay at the abrupt terminations. One city government worker, who has been in their role for two years, received news of their dismissal on Tuesday. They stated, “A lot of us, we didn’t agree with Eric Adams, we just wanted to work in government.” Another employee remarked on the emotional impact, describing their feelings as “disheartening” and “shocking.”
Context of Layoffs
The current administration employs approximately 1,200 individuals, as indicated by the New York City Comptroller’s office. Fabien Levy, a spokesperson for the outgoing mayor, characterized the layoffs as a “massive loss for New Yorkers.” He argued that these long-serving civil servants should not suffer consequences due to political maneuvering.
Transition Plans for City Hall
Dora Pekec, a spokesperson for Mamdani’s transition team, stated that creating a new City Hall plan is standard during mayoral transitions. This plan involves appointing new staff in crucial positions to effectively implement the incoming administration’s agenda. Mamdani has mentioned receiving over 70,000 applications for various government roles as part of this transition.
Challenges Ahead for Mayor Mamdani
While it is customary for new mayors to overhaul staff—often letting go of senior appointees and communications personnel—the hiring process for city positions can be tedious. Various roles require civil-service examinations, which can significantly prolong hiring timelines. Past challenges faced by the Adams administration in filling positions ranged from Health Department roles to seasonal lifeguards.
- 179 employees to be dismissed.
- Majority work near City Hall.
- 1,200 total employees in the current administration.
- Levy calls layoffs a “massive loss for New Yorkers.”
- Mamdani has received over 70,000 applications.
The upcoming changes mark a significant shift in New York City’s management and highlight the ongoing challenges that come with leadership transitions.
