Guide for Appealing in Federal Employment
AFGE Response (some of these links may require you to log in with your AFGE account)
- AFGE is looking at all the available legal avenues to fight these terminations. One possibility may be filing a mass action at the Office of Special Counsel, which could lead to folks being reinstated. We will share updates about that as they become available.
- AFGE created a toolkit with information and resources relevant to the most impactful executive actions taken against federal workers, including probationary employee termination: https://www.afge.org/take-action/campaigns/we-are-afge-strong/executive-action-toolkit/
- You can also read AFGE’s statement in response to the probationary terminations: https://www.afge.org/publication/afge-president-everett-kelley-condemns-trump-administrations-mass-firing-of-federal-employees/
Here is your Local’s statement on the probationary firings.
And this letter from our Representatives and Senators speaking out for our probationary employees. Great work by your fellow member lobbyists to bring this across the finish line!
Ways you can get involved and support your coworkers:
Check out some FUN talking points
Communications tool kit
Also, please visit and support your Local’s mutual aid/ fundraising store! More stuff will be placed in the store soon- and all sale proceeds goes to our members in need of monetary help or our legal fund. We will also put up a GoFundMe page soon so that people can help Region 5 employees who are hurting.
Here are more links and information for our probationary coworkers:
OPM Guidance: 1/20/25 Probationary Periods, Administrative Leave and Details
Download your social security documents: www.ssa.gov
Food Bank, Shelter, Rent, Utility assistance
Right now, anyone in need can call 2-1-1 to connect with local health and human services, such as food banks and programs, benefits, shelters, rent and utility assistance, health insurance, support groups, crisis intervention services, counseling, job training, housing expenses, and more. AFGE National is working with labor and community partners to secure access to direct aid (bill/utility assistance, food banks, etc.) for terminated federal workers and their families.
Unemployment Compensation
Subject matter experts recommend that employees who are terminated file for unemployment immediately:(https://oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/docs/factsheet/UCFE_FactSheet.pdf)
Health Benefits
Termination, Conversion and Temporary Continuation of Coverage
The employee’s enrollment will terminate, subject to a 31-day extension of coverage, on the last day of the pay period in which the employee separates from service (unless he/she transfers, retires, or begins receiving Workers’ Compensation benefits). Get your teeth cleaned, physical/blood work done, vaccines, other doctor’s visits done as needed while they are covered!
Temporary Continuation of Coverage(TCC)
- TCC enrollees must pay the full premium for the plan they select (that is, both the employee and Government shares of the premium) plus a 2 percent administrative charge.
- Can change plans when they enroll in TCC
- Can continue coverage for up to 18 months
Flexible Spending Account
The balances in your Health Care FSA (HCFSA), Limited Expense Health Care FSA (LEX HCFSA) and Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA) are treated differently if you separate or retire before the end of the calendar year.
- Your HCFSA or LEX HCFSA will terminate as of the date of your separation or retirement. There are no extensions. Any eligible health care expenses incurred prior to the date of separation will still be reimbursed but those incurred after the separation date are not reimbursable, even if you accelerated your allotments. If you used your entire elected amount before FSAFEDS has deducted it from your pay, you will not be responsible for the remaining allotments.
- Your DCFSA remaining balance can continue to be used to pay for eligible dependent care expenses until your account balance is depleted or the end of the calendar year, whichever comes first.
AFGE Union Plus Hardship Help for existing card holders or loan-holders – mortgage assistance and one-time $500 grant for laid off employees.
Job Seeking and Community
- Environmental Protection Network
- EPA Alumni Network
- Green Jobs Network
- Michigan Environmental and Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE)
- AESP free one-year membership and job board access
- CIVIC Match – Connecting top public sector talent with essential local government jobs
Find Your Representative: Some elected officials have a labor person on staff that you can talk to.
Misc Resources
- Democracy2025 – strategic hub and response center to protect people and their rights
- Civil Service Strong – coalition of non-partisan groups, unions, etc. to support civil servants and provide resources if they are targeted or attacked
- Democracy Forward – national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy and public education, and regulatory engagement
- Government Accountability Project – whistleblower protection and advocacy
- U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board – protects Federal merit systems against partisan political and other prohibited personnel practices by adjudicating employee appeals over which the Board has been given jurisdiction
- Online Harassment Field Manual– outlines steps you can take to prepare and respond to doxxing, threats, and targeted harassment