Workers face buyout deadline as US pushes to reduce government size

Millions of US government workers faced a deadline yesterday to tell the Trump administration whether they will accept a buyout offer or remain in their jobs, but still face the possibility of being thrown out of work if they decide to stay.

President Donald Trump's aggressive drive to reduce the size of the government in a matter of weeks is unprecedented. It has caused turmoil in the US capital, and sparked protests and union warnings that it may violate multiple laws.

More than 40,000 federal employees had accepted the buyout offer as of Wednesday night, according to a source.

It is not clear how many of the federal government's 2.3 million civilian employees will ultimately accept the offer, which promises to pay their salaries until October if they resigned by the deadline.

Others are fighting the proposal in court.

Unions representing federal workers sued to block the "deferred resignation program" last week. A federal judge in Boston was set to consider their request yesterday afternoon.

Reuters