Workers shocked and angry over mass layoffs

(CLO) Federal employees laid off en masse as part of the downsizing campaign by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump have been shocked and outraged, and concerned that the cuts will affect their ability to provide public services.

President Trump claims he is cutting wasteful spending and reorganizing the civilian workforce to better serve the administration's policies. However, many laid-off employees received impersonal emails, primarily stating they were "not qualified" to continue working.

Protesters outside the Office of Personnel Management in Washington, D.C., demonstrate against federal layoffs. Photo: GI

Attorney Elizabeth Aniskevich from the Consumer Financial Protection Agency shared: "We received notices citing regulations regarding probationary periods, stating that we were dismissed because we did not meet the agency's needs."

Greg House, a disabled veteran, said the dismissals were carried out "heartlessly" and without regard for the human impact. "Nobody joins the federal government to get rich," he said.

Five state-run labor unions have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration, alleging that the layoffs were illegal and violated "staff reduction" procedures. Previously, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) had requested that agencies report the number of probationary employees laid off.

The long-term impact of the layoffs has been a cause for concern, particularly given that agencies like the Veterans Affairs Administration (VA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are already facing severe staffing shortages. The reductions affect the processing of claims, veteran support projects, and drug approvals.

OPM data as of May 2024 shows that approximately 216,000 federal employees were on probation. The agencies most affected included the Veterans Affairs Administration (56,000 people), the Department of Health and Human Services (5,200 people), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1,300 people).

Senator Richard Blumenthal stated that "Trump is firing probationary employees because it's easy, not because it's good for veterans or saves costs."

Ngoc Anh (according to CBS, AFP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nguoi-lao-dong-my-soc-va-tuc-gian-ve-chinh-sach-sa-thai-hang-loat-post334618.html