Approximately 40 federal employees from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), previously placed on administrative leave due to job eliminations under the Trump administration, have been temporarily called back to work. These individuals specialize in coal miner health and firefighter fatality prevention. The job cuts, which impacted most of NIOSH’s 1,000-person workforce, were scheduled to become permanent by June 2, sparking concerns about the reduction of essential safety programs amid a resurgence of black lung disease among coal miners .​

The union representing the workers, AFGE Local 3430, welcomed the temporary return but urged the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reinstate all affected personnel, arguing they are critical for protecting high-risk industry workers. West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito, advocating for the restoration of these safety functions, remains concerned about the permanence of the reinstatement. Meanwhile, affected worker Scott Laney, among those recalled, is uncertain about his job’s future and is set to testify in court regarding the job cuts. HHS has not yet commented on the situation .​

This development comes amid broader federal workforce reductions initiated by the Trump administration, which have faced legal challenges. A coalition of over two dozen labor unions, cities, and nonprofit organizations has filed

Source: Reuters