October 15, 2025
Media contact: Dorie Turner Nolt, dorie.turner@gmail.com, 404-861-1127
Today, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 252, which represents more than 2,700 Department of Education employees, applauded a federal judge’s ruling which orders the Trump administration to immediately stop the mass firings of federal employees during the government shutdown. The ruling comes following a motion for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) requested by the AFGE and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). AFGE Local 252 President Rachel Gittleman released the following statement:
“These mass firings at U.S. Department of Education, in combination with the reductions in force in March that cut 1,500 staff, is an illegal dismantling of a Congressionally created agency that provides critical resources and support services to tens of millions of students and their families across America.
Today’s ruling is not only a win for our members, but also a win for the students in this country that would have been catastrophically impacted by these cuts. If we’ve learned anything this year, it’s that the fight is just beginning. We will continue to do everything in our power to fight back against this illegal gutting of the U.S. Department of Education.”
Please note we are awaiting a written order from the court.
List of Affected Units as of 3:00 p.m. ET on October 15, 2025:
Although the RIF has been temporarily paused, below is a list of offices that the Local has received notice from, as we have not received notice from the agency:
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE):
- Office of Innovation and Early Learning
- Office of School Community Improvement Programs
- Well Rounded Education Division (Arts Education)
- Charter Schools Program
- Office of Safe and Supportive Schools
- Program and Grantee Support Services
- Comprehensive Literacy State Development
- JAVITS (Gifted and Talented)
- School Support and Accountability
- Office of Formula Grants
- Office of Migrant Education
- Effective Educator Development Program
- Innovation and Early Learning Programs
- Effective Development Division
- Program and Grantee Support Services
Office of Communications and Outreach (OCO):
- State and Local Engagement
Office of Post Secondary Education (OPE):
- Student Support Services (TRIO)
- Institutional Service (HBCUs, HSIs, Tribal Colleges, ANAPISI)
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS):
- Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
- Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA)
Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
- Atlanta Enforcement Office
- Metro/DC Enforcement Office
- Seattle Enforcement Office
- Denver Enforcement Office
- Program Legal Group
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AFGE Local 252 