AGs warn against federal workers taking Trump admin buyout offer
As the Oversight Committee Chairman, James Comer has made it clear that he is determined to bring federal employees back to work. In a scathing speech during the first hearing of the 119th Congress, Comer criticized the Biden administration’s handling of telework policies for federal workers. The focus of his criticism was on the questionable buyout offer that was made by the Trump administration, which is causing concern among a coalition of attorneys general.
The buyout offer, which was part of President Trump’s efforts to get federal employees to physically return to the office, allows workers to resign while retaining all pay and benefits. Those who opt in to the program will be exempt from their in-person work requirements until September 30th. However, the attorneys general have warned federal employees against accepting the offer, as there is no guarantee that they will receive the promised benefits.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta spoke out against the buyout offer, calling it an attack on the federal workforce and a threat to the functioning of the government. He urged federal employees to be cautious and to heed the warnings from their unions. The attorneys general from Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, and Washington have also expressed concerns about the buyout offer.
The buyout offer came after President Trump mandated that all federal employees return to the office. The email sent to federal workers stated that the majority of employees who have been working remotely due to COVID-19 will be required to return to their physical offices five days a week. The administration is making it clear that they expect federal employees to be in the office and adhere to higher standards.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) have both advised their members not to take the buyout offer seriously. The NFFE National President, Randy Erwin, stated that the offer is not bound by existing law or policy and is not funded by Congress. He emphasized that federal employees should not be swayed by this “shady tactic” and should not resign.
In conclusion, the buyout offer for federal employees has sparked controversy and concern among attorneys general and union representatives. Chairman Comer is committed to bringing federal employees back to work and ensuring that they are not pressured into resigning. It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days.
