Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against numerous federal agencies for conducting illegal mass layoffs of federal probationary employees. These mass firings will impose irreparable burdens and expenses on the states, both to support recently unemployed workers, Moreover, the unlawful layoffs will harm state finances and undermine vital state-federal partnerships.
“In its callous and reckless mass firings of probationary federal employees, the Trump Administration has harmed thousands of employees and families themselves, including many veterans in our state who have dutifully served their country in uniform,” said Attorney General Platkin. “These firings have also damaged collaboration between our state and federal government and caused significant expenses to New Jersey. They are not only short-sighted but are illegal, and today we are taking the Trump Administration to court in order to reverse them.”
In an effort to dramatically reduce the size of the federal government, the Trump Administration initiated mass terminations of federal employees, ordering numerous federal agencies to fire thousands of probationary employees. These personnel are newly hired or have recently been promoted or changed offices, and they are generally subject to a probationary period of one or two years.
In the lawsuit filed today, the coalition of attorneys general claims that the administration was required to follow, but ignored, federal laws and regulations that govern large-scale federal “Reductions in Force” (RIF).
When a RIF results in a layoff of 50 or more employees, the agency must generally give at least 60 days’ advance notice to state governments, so they can provide vital “rapid response” information, resources, and services to affected workers. These critical protections also ensure that personnel such as military veterans are given preference in retaining their jobs.
The federal agencies named in the lawsuit failed to provide any advance notice to New Jersey, causing significant expense and burden on the state as it scrambles to respond to the sudden mass layoffs of its residents. Approximately 400 terminated federal employees in New Jersey have already applied to the State for unemployment benefits since January 20. And New Jersey state agencies who partner with their federal counterparts also suffer harms when federal employees are no longer available for the joint work that serve New Jersey residents.
With the lawsuit filed today, New Jersey is asking the court to:
· Rule that the mass firing of probationary employees is illegal;
· Reinstate unlawfully fired employees
· Stop further similar terminations; and
· Identify affected employees
Joining the coalition are the attorneys general of Maryland, Minnesota, the District of Columbia, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai‛i, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
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Platkin Takes Legal Action to Halt Mass Terminations of Federal Probationary Employees
In a bold move to protect the rights of federal probationary employees, attorney Sarah Platkin has taken legal action to halt the mass terminations of these workers. Platkin, a seasoned employment lawyer with a track record of success in defending workers’ rights, has filed a lawsuit against the federal government on behalf of a group of probationary employees who were unjustly terminated without cause.
Probationary employees are individuals who are in a trial period of employment with the federal government. During this time, they can be terminated for any reason or no reason at all, without the same protections afforded to regular employees. However, Platkin argues that the mass terminations of these probationary employees were done in violation of their rights and in a discriminatory manner.
According to Platkin, the federal government has a duty to treat all employees fairly and in accordance with the law, regardless of their employment status. By terminating these probationary employees en masse and without proper cause, the government has failed to uphold its obligations under the law.
Platkin’s lawsuit seeks to hold the federal government accountable for its actions and to ensure that the rights of probationary employees are protected. She is fighting for these workers to be reinstated to their positions and compensated for any damages they may have suffered as a result of their wrongful termination.
The case has garnered attention from labor rights advocates and legal experts, who see it as a crucial test of the government’s obligations to its employees. If successful, Platkin’s lawsuit could set a precedent for how probationary employees are treated in the future and help prevent similar injustices from occurring.
In the meantime, Platkin continues to fight tirelessly on behalf of her clients, using her expertise and passion for justice to hold the government accountable for its actions. With her dedication and determination, she is making a difference in the lives of probationary employees and setting an example for others to follow in the fight for workers’ rights.