Workforce
MSPB relinquishes jurisdiction over some federal worker appeals
The agency tasked with adjudicating appeals of federal employee firings upended decades of precedent in ruling that agencies may challenge its jurisdiction on constitutional grounds.
Management
Fired MSPB member appeals to Supreme Court
Attorneys for former Democratic Merit Systems Protection Board Member Cathy Harris argued that however the justices rule in a similar case involving the Federal Trade Commission, Congress can prescribe removal protections for officials at “purely adjudicative” agencies.
Workforce
OPM seeks to consolidate power over employee appeals in new regulations
Under a pair of regulatory proposals published this week, the federal government’s dedicated HR agency seeks to wrest appeals of suitability and reduction in force decisions from the Merit Systems Protection Board.
Oversight
Office of Special Counsel resumes Hatch Act enforcement against former feds for violations during their service
The agency had paused filing Hatch Act complaints against such individuals pending a Merit Systems Protection Board decision on the jurisdiction of former federal employees.
Workforce
Supreme Court won’t halt judge’s probe into civil service laws’ virility, for now
The unsigned order, which prompted no public dissents, suggested the Trump administration could return to the high court if the federal district court’s factfinding mission commences before justices consider whether to formally take on the case.
Workforce
DOJ says lower court ruling would ‘wreak havoc’ on the civil service absent Supreme Court intervention
A federal judge was set to review whether Trump has neutered civil service laws, but the Supreme Court has paused that effort while it considers the administration's request.
Management
Appeals court upholds firing of Democratic Merit Systems Protection Board member
The case could unravel decades of statute and precedent protecting leaders of independent agencies from removal.
Workforce
EPA workers fired over dissent letter appeal to MSPB
Only a fraction of the more than 130 employees who signed an open letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin accusing the Trump administration of “recklessly undermining” the agency’s mission were ultimately terminated, purportedly because they worked in “public-facing” roles.
Management
Federal employee appeals board gets quorum after Senate confirms new member
Congressional Democrats also introduced legislation that would allow federal employees to file appeals in a civil court if the Merit Systems Protection Board is backlogged.
Management
Trump admin. tells judge it can fire at least some career feds at any time for any reason
The administration is seeking to upend civil service protections long in place for federal employees.
Workforce
Appeals court: Has Trump neutered the Civil Service Reform Act?
A three-judge panel on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals revived a lawsuit challenging the gag order on federal immigration judges in light of the president’s decision to fire the U.S. special counsel and members of the Merit Systems Protection Board.
Workforce
Fired GSA 18F employees appeal to have jobs reinstated
The Trump administration has endeavored to streamline the agency’s contracting and procurement processes while putting in mechanisms to shed its workforce.
Workforce
Appeals board creates new path to renew reversals of probationary firings
At least some fired feds can pursue their case through a class action, administrative judge says.
Breaking News
Oversight
Supreme Court allows Trump to fire federal employee appeals board members at will
In dissenting opinion, justices say the decision will provide Trump the most subservient executive branch “maybe ever.”
Management
Supreme Court lets Trump fire Democratic members of labor boards, for now
The removals of Cathy Harris from the Merit Systems Protection Board and Gwynne Wilcox from the National Labor Relations Board have been both blocked and upheld in court since President Donald Trump tried to fire them.
Workforce
Federal employee appeals board is fully functional again — for now
The removal of Cathy Harris, a Democratic member of the Merit Systems Protection Board, has been both blocked and upheld in court since President Donald Trump tried to fire her in February. The case will likely now go to the Supreme Court.
Breaking News
Workforce
Court allows Trump to fire appeals board member, which could ‘trap in legal limbo’ feds fighting terminations and RIFs
Appeals court has paused a lower court ruling blocking the firing one-third of MSPB's central board, creating a crisis for the agency.
Management
Trump appeals rulings that blocked his firings of Democrats on independent federal boards
The Trump administration argued that current law limiting the reasons for the president to remove members of independent government boards is unconstitutional.
Workforce
MSPB orders temporary reinstatement of nearly 6,000 probationary workers at USDA
These Agriculture Department employees must be allowed back to their jobs for 45 days, as the Office of Special Counsel continues to investigate the Trump administration’s purge of recently hired, promoted or transferred federal employees.
Workforce