VOA Rescinds Layoff Notices Over Labor Violations, Union Says

The Trump administration withdrew layoff notices sent to Voice of America employees over alleged labor law violations that made the attempted workforce cuts unenforceable, according to a union representing the workers.

The government rescinded the June reduction-in-force notices after management breached contractual obligations for VOA employees, including failing to bargain in good faith before issuing the notices and miscalculating some workers’ retention credits, according to the American Federation of Government Employees.

It was unclear how many notices were rescinded. The union acknowledged the reversal likely wouldn’t stop the Trump administration from dismantling the agency.

Layoff notices were sent to 800 employees in June, AFGE said.

AFGE in a statement called the decision a “win” for VOA workers, but said the “fight is far from over as the administration has vowed to proceed with the RIFs again despite a pending lawsuit.”

VOA spokespeople did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

President Donald Trump moved swiftly to gut VOA, a government-funded news organization aimed at projecting American interests abroad, when he took office in January.