Fact Check: Does USDA hire back all 6,000 fired workers from the past month with back pay?
What We Know
The claim regarding the USDA hiring back 6,000 fired workers with back pay stems from recent developments in workforce litigation. On March 11, 2025, the USDA announced that the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) issued a 45-day stay on the termination of probationary employees. This decision mandated that all terminated probationary employees would be placed in pay status and provided with back pay from the date of their termination, effective March 12, 2025 (USDA Status on Workforce Litigation).
Additionally, a preliminary injunction was issued by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, which deemed the USDA's termination of these employees unlawful. This ruling was part of the case American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, et al. v. OPM, et al., and indicated that the USDA would need to develop a phased plan for the return of these employees (USDA Status on Workforce Litigation).
Analysis
The claim that all 6,000 fired workers will be rehired with back pay is partially accurate but requires clarification. The USDA's announcement specifically pertains to probationary employees, which may not encompass all 6,000 individuals mentioned in the claim. The USDA's statement and the court's ruling suggest that while those affected will receive back pay and be placed in pay status, the exact number of employees reinstated is not explicitly confirmed as 6,000 (USDA Status on Workforce Litigation).
Moreover, the context of the terminations and the legal proceedings indicates that there are ongoing appeals, which could affect the final outcome. The reliability of the sources used to evaluate this claim is high, as they originate from official USDA communications and legal documents. However, the lack of detailed information about the total number of employees affected and the specific categories of employment (e.g., probationary vs. non-probationary) leaves room for ambiguity.
Conclusion
Needs Research. While there is evidence that the USDA has taken steps to reinstate terminated probationary employees and provide back pay, the claim that all 6,000 fired workers will be rehired lacks sufficient clarity and specificity. Further investigation is required to determine the exact number of employees affected and the nature of their employment status.
Sources
- USDA Agricultural Projections to 2034
- USDA ERS - Home | Economic Research Service
- USDA Status on Workforce Litigation | Home
- Careers at ERS | Economic Research Service
- Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook: February 2025
- U.S. Agricultural Trade - U.S. Agricultural Trade at a Glance - USDA
- Food Security in the U.S. - Measurement - USDA ERS
- Food Security in the U.S. - Key Statistics & Graphics
