Fired US government coal-safety workers brought back - for now

Source: Reuters

April 30, 2025 6:34 AM EDT Updated 6 hours ago


WASHINGTON, April 29 (Reuters) - About 40 federal government employees who worked on coal-mining and firefighter safety before their jobs were eliminated were asked to return to work this week, although it's unclear if their positions will be permanently reinstated, West Virginia's senator and the agency's union said on Tuesday.

The employees are from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, part of the Health and Human Services Department, and worked on coal miner health and firefighter fatality prevention programs. They were put on administrative leave earlier this month as the Trump administration eliminated most of NIOSH's 1,000-person workforce. Reuters reported the move cut key safety programs for coal miners, who have seen a resurgence in black lung disease. The staff were scheduled for termination June 2.

The union, AFGE Local 3430, welcomed the temporary call-back, which it said focused on the NIOSH units "currently in the media spotlight" but called on HHS to bring back all NIOSH employees, saying they are vital in protecting workers in high-risk industries. The two programs previously had about 40 staff members and virtually all of them were asked by regional managers to return from administrative leave this week, although they are still due to be terminated on June 2, according to AFGE Local 3430, the agency's union.

West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito has lobbied HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to restore the programs, including the coal-focused work of its Morgantown, West Virginia office.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/fired-us-government-coal-safety-workers-brought-back-now-2025-04-30/