
Esther Ritchin is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s news and commentary, a judge orders federal probationary workers reinstated, AFGE and other unions sue the Department of Homeland Security, and the Postmaster General announces intentions to work with DOGE.
Yesterday, a federal judge in California ordered the reinstatement of thousands of probationary employees who were fired from federal agencies last month. The judge refers specifically to the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, Energy, Interior, Agriculture, and Treasury, and ordered the discovery and deposition of Noah Peters, a senior advisor at the Office of Personnel Management. Judge Alsup said “It is a sad day when our government would fire some good employee and say it was based on performance when they know good and well that’s a lie…That should not have been done in our country. It was a sham in order to try to avoid statutory requirements.”
Yesterday, multiple unions, including the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), AFGE TSA Local 1121, the Communications Workers of America (CWA), and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security’s cancellation of its contract with Transportation Security Officers (TSOs). The contract was approved in 2024 and covers 47,000 workers.
The Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy, has signed an agreement for the US Postal Service (USPS) to work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Elon Musk, the head of DOGE, has said he wants to privatize the USPS. The letter states USPS’s intent to eliminate 10,000 jobs in the next 30 days through an early retirement program.
Daily News & Commentary
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March 14
In today’s news and commentary, a judge orders federal probationary workers reinstated, AFGE and other unions sue the Department of Homeland Security, and the Postmaster General announces intentions to work with DOGE. Yesterday, a federal judge in California ordered the reinstatement of thousands of probationary employees who were fired from federal agencies last month. The […]
March 13
District court judge orders reinstatement of FLRA board member unlawfully removed by Trump, and the UAW files unfair labor practices charges against Volkswagen.
March 12
SAG-AFTRA complains about major video game studios’ AI proposal amid a months-long strike, and German unionized Ford workers criticize the automaker for rescinding an economic agreement in place since 2006.
March 11
Chavez-DeRemer confirmed as Labor Secretary; NLRB issues decisions with new quorum; Flex drivers deemed Amazon employees in Virginia
March 10
Iowa sets up court fight over trans anti-bias protections; Trump Administration seeks to revoke TSA union rights
March 9
Federal judge orders the reinstatement of NLRB Board Member Gwynne Wilcox; DOL reinstates about 120 employees who were facing termination