In a significant development, a U.S. federal judge has extended the pause on the Trump administration's controversial \"buyout\" plan for federal workers. This plan initially offered seven months of salary to approximately 2 million federal employees who chose to leave their jobs.
Judge George A. O'Toole Jr. from the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts announced on Monday that the freeze on the deadline would continue until he can rule on the legality of the \"deferred resignation\" plan. This decision came just hours after Judge O'Toole temporarily halted the program on Thursday, moments before the original February 6 deadline.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) introduced the buyout program on January 28, aiming to reduce the government workforce swiftly. According to NBC News, over 60,000 employees have already accepted the offer, representing about 3 percent of the eligible federal workforce.
However, labor unions have raised strong objections against the program. They argue that the OPM exceeded its authority by guaranteeing pay and benefits until September 30, 2025, especially since Congress had only approved funding for most federal agencies until March 14. Additionally, unions claim that the tight deadline and the potential impact on government operations make the buyout plan problematic. There are also concerns that the program could be used to dismiss and replace workers for ideological reasons.
This ongoing legal battle highlights the challenges of government workforce management and the delicate balance between reducing personnel and maintaining effective operations. As the case progresses, all eyes will be on Judge O'Toole's final decision, which could have lasting implications for federal employment policies.
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U.S. judge extends freeze on Trump's 'buyout' plan for federal workers
cgtn.com
