IFPTE Calls OMB/OPM Directive on RIFs Dangerous and Inhumane

IFPTE says memo continues to, “callously demean the services provided by
dedicated federal employees”

WASHINGTON, DC – International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) President, Matt Biggs, and Secretary-Treasurer, Gay Henson, released the following joint statement in response to today’s Office of Personnel Management (OPM)/Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directive to federal agencies to implement widespread RIFs throughout the federal government: 

“IFPTE strongly condemns the OPM/OMB memo on RIFs that was released earlier today.  Sadly, it continues the practice by the Trump Administration to callously demean the services provided by dedicated federal employees while laying out four phases by which they expect agencies across the government to imprudently RIF thousands upon thousands of workers.  This reckless and irresponsible directive fails to acknowledge how this will drastically impact the services that the American public that rely on, including those related to our military readiness and national security, our homeland security, Veterans care, and current and future Social Security beneficiaries.  Moreover, it stretches the legal limits of how a RIF process is supposed to occur.  

“IFPTE will evaluate all legal, legislative, and other options available to prevent these draconian and inhumane reductions of federal workers called for in the memo.” 

Across the United States and Canada, IFPTE represents 90,000 highly skilled workers in the federal, public, and private sectors. IFPTE is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO and the Canadian Labour Congress.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Contact: Candace Rhett
(202) 239-4880