November 13, 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 U.S. Department of Education employees, released the following statement from President Rachel Gittleman about public servants returning to work after the historic government shutdown:
“We remain deeply concerned about how the U.S. Department of Education is treating employees as they return to work following the shutdown, particularly the more than 700 workers whose illegal firing has been rescinded by the Continuing Resolution signed by the President. Employees have not received official notice from the Department’s human resources office to return to work, instead being forced to rely on text messages from supervisors or colleagues. Many employees named in the October firings are locked out of their computers and do not have access to Department email. The Department told some of those employees that their accounts have been disabled, even though they remain employed by the agency.
This disorganization and chaos only further demoralizes the hardworking public servants at the Education Department that have faced threats, harassment, illegal firings — and 44 days without paychecks. We will continue to fight for all of our members, including the 1,100 workers unlawfully fired from the Department in March that were completely left out of the Continuing Resolution. Many of these members are now on Affordable Care Act health plans, which means their premiums will skyrocket unless Congress deals with the lapsed subsidies.”
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AFGE Local 252 