The U.S. Department of Labor has decided to reinstate around 120 employees who were at risk of being fired. This action comes after a wave of job cuts initiated during the Trump administration, which aimed to reduce the number of recently hired federal workers. The American Federation of Government Employees, the largest union representing federal workers, announced the reinstatement on Friday.
These probationary employees, many of whom had been placed on administrative leave, are expected to return to work on Monday. A union spokesperson, Tim Kauffman, shared that the Labor Department is sending out letters to these employees, informing them of their return. One such letter indicated that the department would use the remainder of their probationary period to assess whether their employment serves the public’s best interests.
This decision to reinstate the employees follows President Trump’s recent remarks to his cabinet, emphasizing that they should have the final say on staffing and policy decisions within their agencies. Trump had previously noted the importance of careful job reductions, suggesting that agencies should use a “scalpel” instead of a “hatchet” approach to cut jobs.
The Labor Department’s move comes shortly after the Merit Systems Protection Board ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture to temporarily reinstate nearly 6,000 probationary employees while reviewing a challenge to their firings. This board is responsible for hearing appeals from federal workers who have been dismissed or disciplined.
The reinstatement of these Labor Department employees is seen as a positive step by advocates for federal workers. Skye Perryman, from the legal group Democracy Forward, welcomed this decision and urged other agencies to follow suit.
In total, around 25,000 federal workers have been fired, with another 75,000 opting for buyouts, out of a total workforce of 2.3 million federal employees. The situation highlights the ongoing changes within federal agencies as they adapt to new policies and leadership directives.