A Massachusetts federal judge threw a wrench in the Trump administration’s buyout plan for federal workers on Thursday, effectively blocking the program from moving forward. The ruling delays the deadline for federal employees to accept the controversial “deferred resignation” offer until Monday while the court deliberates on the legality of the directive.
The Fork in the Road
U.S. District Judge George A. O’Toole issued the decision after a remote hearing, temporarily halting the implementation of what’s being called the “Fork in the Road” directive. This directive offered federal workers the option to resign and receive pay through September—essentially a golden handshake, with a strict Feb. 6 deadline looming for workers to make a decision.
The program, unveiled by the Office of Personnel Management, has sparked intense backlash from labor unions, who argue it places an unfair and coercive burden on civil servants.
A Fight Over Workers’ Rights
In response to the buyout plan, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), and the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) filed a lawsuit, contending that the “deferred resignation” offer violates the Administrative Procedure Act. The plaintiffs say the directive threatens the livelihood of millions of federal workers by forcing them to choose between resigning with compensation or staying on the job with no guarantees.
