Mass firings of federal probationary workers unlawful, judge finds

By Birdi Diehl 

On Thursday, a San Francisco federal judge found that the mass firings of probationary employees were plausibly unlawful. This has granted temporary relief to organizations and labor unions that have sued the Trump administration over a massive dismantling of the federal workforce, according to Boston.com.

The Office of Personnel Management was ordered by U.S. District Judge William Alsup, who told federal agencies they did not have the power to order the firings of probationary employees. 

The complaint filed by five labor unions and five nonprofit organizations is a part of several lawsuits pushing back against the Trump administration’s efforts to lessen the workforce. After firing the probationary employees, the Trump Administration is now looking to the career officials with civil service protection. 

Other lawyers also agree with the federal government that the office does not have the power to hire or fire employees in other agencies.