States Challenge Federal Employee Terminations in New Lawsuit
In an effort to halt what they see as unjust mass terminations, the attorneys general from Washington D.C., Maryland, and 18 other states have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. This legal action adds to a growing number of challenges aimed at addressing the abrupt dismissal of numerous federal workers.
The Democratic attorneys general claim that probationary federal employees were improperly informed in termination letters that their dismissals were due to performance issues. However, they argue that the real motive was a reduction in force strategy that did not adhere to mandated procedures.
According to federal regulations, agencies must provide at least 60 days’ notice to states when laying off 50 or more employees. This requirement is intended to give states sufficient time to prepare support and transition services for affected workers.
In their formal complaint, the attorneys general stated, “Economic dislocation of workers can easily create a cascade of instability throughout a regional economy.” The lawsuit highlights the role of state rapid response teams, which offer services to help displaced workers find new employment and reduce their dependency on public assistance.
The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order from a federal judge in Maryland to stop the dismissals of probationary employees and to reinstate those already terminated. A hearing on this matter is set for March 12.
For more details, refer to the original NPR article and the official complaint document.
An image of the Maryland State Capitol building in Annapolis accompanies this article. Maryland is one of the states involved in the lawsuit against the federal administration over the employee terminations. Photo by Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images.
Be First to Comment