HSSK Partner Gary Phelan Writes Op-Ed on Federal Layoffs and Legal Battles
03/26/2025HSSK Partner Gary Phelan has penned an op-ed for Hearst Publications in Connecticut, shedding light on the Trump Administration’s sweeping federal workforce reductions and the legal battles that have followed.
In "Opinion: Federal Workers Under Siege but Fighting Back, in CT Too," Phelan details how federal judges are challenging the administration’s abrupt and legally dubious terminations. Judges in California and Maryland have already intervened, ordering agencies to reinstate thousands of workers. Despite these rulings, as many as 250,000 employees face imminent layoffs, forcing many to navigate a complex appeals process.
Phelan emphasizes that workers have options, urging them to act swiftly in contesting wrongful terminations. He highlights the role of unions, legal advocacy groups, and organizations such as the Merit Systems Protection Board in helping affected employees fight back.
For those impacted in Connecticut, the Connecticut Department of Labor has issued guidance for federal employees seeking unemployment benefits.