CRC Joins Federal Lawsuit To Reinstate Workers

March 13 - CRC joins American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, and other plaintiffs in San Francisco Court against the Office of Personnel Management.

Today, Climate Resilient Communities (CRC) joined as a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the Trump Administration’s Office of Personnel Management. The case, led by the American Federation of Government Employees, was heard in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

The judge ordered the immediate reinstatement of terminated probationary employees from the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Interior, Energy, Defense, and Treasury. Additionally, federal agencies must cease further terminations of probationary employees, effective immediately.

OPM is also prohibited from issuing guidance on employee terminations, and all agencies involved must submit a compliance report to the court. The judge further authorized depositions and ordered additional briefing on whether fired employees still have access to administrative appeals or if the system has been dismantled due to the firings of appeals board and Office of Special Counsel personnel.

For immediate updates on the AFGE, AFL-CIO v. United States Office of Personnel Management, along with CRC's statement, click below for American Federation Of Government Employees & Plaintiff's Press Release: Read Court Decision Press Release

Response to Decision & Impact to CRC

We extend our deepest gratitude to the plaintiffs’ legal representatives, Altshuler Berzon LLP Altshuler Berzon LLP and the State Democracy Defenders Fund (SDDF), as well as our fellow plaintiffs in this case against OPM.

While we celebrate this decision and stand proudly alongside fellow plaintiffs defending workers' rights, our case concerning the EPA remains unresolved. Until we can engage with U.S. EPA staff, CRC’s critical federal grants remain frozen, impacting our ability to continue serving our communities.  Climate Resilient Communities has $1.4 million in federal grants at risk. This includes pausing major projects due to lack of clarity and access to funding because our EPA technical assistance provides and program officers were wrongfully fired. We have a long road ahead with appeals before relief comes from legal action, but CRC is steadfast in our commitment to our communities!