Interior says some layoffs “may” occur during the shutdown



The Interior Ministry is looking to lay off staff, although its plan is being partially hampered by a recent court order.

The department said in a lawsuit Friday that it would have implemented at least some of the “imminent” layoffs if not for a recent court order barring agencies from laying off unionized workers during the shutdown.

However, it also indicated that it may continue to move forward with layoffs of workers who work in areas not represented by unions.

The department said these layoffs are not related to the government shutdown and are part of a broader job cuts plan that it has been working on since early this year.

“It has become clear that RIF notices, if finalized on a schedule consistent with the pre-existing planning process, may be issued during the lapse of appropriations for competitive districts that do not include any bargaining units or members represented by Plaintiffs,” the department said in court, referring to the applicable reductions.

In court, the Home Office also said it “intended to abolish jobs imminently” in 68 “competitive areas” involving unionized workers.

Now it “will not move forward with any regional framework” covering union employees unless the court-imposed moratorium on dismissals is lifted.

The White House Office of Management and Budget, which has been leading the federal effort to lay off employees, defines “competitive terrain” as those areas where employees may compete for positions, such as a geographic area agency division.

It is not clear what specific agencies, subdivisions, or geographic areas were targeted. The Interior Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Trump administration has made several efforts to fire workers or offer buyouts in order to shrink the size of government. They claim that bloating the government will make it more efficient, but opponents say such efforts will eliminate important work being done to serve the American people.

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