Over the recent holiday weekend, thousands of U.S. federal government employees were abruptly dismissed, following a demand from the Trump administration to let go of workers by Tuesday. 🏢💼
This swift action, humorously dubbed the \"St. Valentine's Day Massacre\" by employees in group texts and online forums, primarily targeted new hires on probation. These employees have fewer protections compared to their permanent counterparts, making the firings particularly impactful. 📉
But it wasn't just the newbies feeling the heat. The wave swept up seasoned workers who had transferred between agencies, military veterans, and individuals with disabilities employed through special programs. 🛡️
Union leaders are standing strong, vowing to challenge these mass firings in court. The largest union representing federal workers has already announced plans to fight back, signaling legal battles ahead. ⚖️✊
Critics are raising alarms about the rapid changes, pointing out that some firings contradict the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's directive to keep 'mission-critical' workers on board. From map makers to cancer researchers, nearly every agency felt the impact of this sweeping personnel shake-up. 📊🔍
This move is seen as part of President Donald Trump's vision for a leaner, reshaped government, a vision also supported by billionaire Elon Musk. However, the administrative complaint from workers at nine agencies shows that not everyone is on board with these drastic changes. 🚀🤔
Reference(s):
Trump admin fires thousands of workers without evidence: report
cgtn.com
