Judge Allows Mass Federal Employee Firings to Proceed

A federal judge ruled against labor unions attempting to halt President Trump's mass firing of probationary and non-essential federal employees, clearing the path for the administration's significant downsizing plans. Judge Christopher R. Cooper determined that the unions must first address their grievances with the Federal Labor Relations Authority before seeking intervention from federal courts. The unions argue that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) lacks the authority to implement such terminations, which they claim violate employment laws and congressional mandates. More than 500,000 federal workers could be impacted, including significant layoffs at the IRS during the tax-filing season. The unions' lawsuit, supported by multiple labor organizations, seeks to declare the OPM's directive unlawful and reinstate affected employees. Despite this setback, union leaders stress that the legal battle continues as they aim to challenge the administration's actions in the appropriate venues.