The Trump administration announced plans to continue with layoffs of federal workers, despite a recent court order aimed at pausing some of these terminations. The Department of Health and Human Services reported that out of 954 employees facing job loss, 362 are protected under a ruling by a California judge.
Key Court Order and Its Impacts
Judge Susan Illston, who serves on the US District Court for the Northern District of California, issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on October 15. This order restricts government layoffs due to the ongoing shutdown and applies to employees represented by five unions:
- American Federation of Government Employees
- American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
- Service Employees International Union
- National Association of Government Employees
- National Federation of Federal Employees
Illston expanded the order after unions raised concerns about the government’s actions to proceed with layoffs despite her ruling. During a hearing on October 17, she emphasized the need for caution, indicating that any reductions in force (RIFs) should not proceed during the court’s review.
Details on Affected Federal Workers
The Department of Commerce disclosed that employees protected by the TRO include those from the US Census Bureau and the Minority Business Development Agency. However, the department did not clarify how many of these employees received termination notices.
According to the Department of the Interior, out of 14,212 employees considered for layoffs, 4,833 belong to the five unions mentioned earlier. While the Interior Department plans to eliminate 2,050 positions, it has not specified how many of these positions fall under the union umbrella.
Layoff Statistics and Expectations
Earlier in the month, the Trump administration conducted layoffs affecting over 4,100 workers across several agencies. White House Budget Director Russell Vought anticipates that the ongoing government shutdown will lead to layoffs surpassing 10,000 federal employees.
| Agency | Employees Facing Layoff | Union Protections |
|---|---|---|
| Health and Human Services | 954 | 362 under court order |
| Interior | 14,212 considered | 4,833 under union protections |
| Commerce | Not specified | Includes Census Bureau |
This ongoing situation underscores the impact of judicial rulings on government employment during a shutdown, as federal agencies navigate the legal challenges while trying to manage their workforce effectively.
