Federal Employee Unions Sue Trump Administration Over Controversial Buyout Plan
Unions representing federal employees have taken legal action against the Trump administration, accusing it of enforcing an unfair and unlawful buyout plan. The lawsuit, led by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and two other unions, challenges the administration’s directive requiring nearly 2 million federal employees to either accept a buyout or return to in-person work.
The executive order, known as the Fork Directive, gives employees until February 6 to opt in. Those who accept will stop working immediately but continue receiving pay benefits through September 30. However, public safety employees, such as air traffic controllers, are excluded from the offer.
President Donald Trump has pushed for a full return to in-office work since taking office. A recent government-wide email emphasized his administration's commitment to accountability, requiring most remote employees to return to physical offices five days a week. The email acknowledged the contributions of returning workers but warned that job security could not be guaranteed.
Unions argue that the buyout plan is flawed and illegal. They claim the administration has no solid funding source for the payouts and has not evaluated how mass resignations will affect government functions.
AFGE President Everett Kelley strongly criticized the policy, saying, "Federal employees shouldn’t be misled by slick talk from unelected billionaires and their lackeys. Despite claims made to the contrary, this deferred resignation scheme is unfunded, unlawful, and comes with no guarantees."
The unions’ lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order to block the directive and force the administration to create a legally sound policy. They argue that the plan pressures workers into making life-altering decisions without proper legal protections.
Reports suggest that around 20,000 federal employees have already accepted the offer, but that number is expected to rise sharply before the deadline. The White House has acknowledged a likely "spike" in resignations in the final 48 hours.
As the deadline approaches, the legal battle intensifies. The outcome could impact not only federal workers but also the overall functioning of government agencies.
