The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) announced January 14 that, following nine months of pressure from its members, labor allies and public health experts, all employees of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) who received layoff notices have been fully reinstated.
NIOSH’s mining arm, which is also wholly represented by the union, is at the helm of miner safety and health efforts and technological testing in the U.S.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) first initiated a Reduction in Force in April 2025 that targeted more than 90% of the agency’s workforce, which included about 1,000 employees, including scientists, engineers, and technical experts – all critical to the nation’s workplace safety and public health infrastructure.
HHS has now reversed course completely, revoking all layoff notices. Last May, it initially reinstated only 328 NIOSH employees, and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. proposed a budget at that time that would eliminate around 80% of NIOSH’s funding.
“This moment belongs to every single person who refused to stay silent,” said Dr. Micah Niemeier-Walsh, PhD, vice president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 3840 and industrial hygienist at NIOSH.
“Every rally, every media interview, every petition signature, every act of solidarity by NIOSH employees and our partners in the labor movement led to this victory of saving NIOSH.”
The reinstatement of all NIOSH staff ensures the continuation of critical programs that protect all working people, including mine safety research, chemical hazard assessment, and research on emerging occupational risks.
AFGE National President Everett Kelley said that the administration’s attempt to lay off nearly every NIOSH worker was “shameful and illegal” when much of the work that the agency does is required by law.
“We are grateful that their jobs have been restored and we will continue fighting to ensure NIOSH has the resources and support it needs to serve the American public.”
The Local 3840 facet of the union is still demanding full restoration of funding to all NIOSH programs, renewal and rehiring of Title 42 fellows, protection of scientific integrity and research independence, recognition of collective bargaining agreements, and resuming workplace flexibilities.
Source: afge.org