Zinke reacts to federal board reinstating USFS probationary workers

March 14, 2025 Press Release Provides update on NPS hiring (Kalispell, MT) – On Tuesday, the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) issued a ruling requiring the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to temporarily reinstate nearly 6,000 workers. As a result of the stay, all affected probationary Forest Service employees will be reinstated from March 5 to April 18, 2025. Congressman Zinke released the following announcement: “President Trump rightfully exempted seasonal hires from layoffs but when the previous administration reclassified thousands of experienced USFS seasonal workers as probationary employees, they got caught in the reduction of force. The recent ruling to bring back those employees creates an opportunity for DOGE to set their sights on the real waste - the overpaid lawyers, biologists and environmental zealots and the top heavy bureaucracy. The guys and gals on the frontlines maintaining trails, harvesting trees, and supporting fire camps are seasonal and should be classified as such as they always had been before Biden changed it.” Additionally, Congressman Zinke recently sat down with the Superintendent of Glacier National Park to discuss personnel, infrastructure, and operating plans. “Seasonal hiring is proceeding and Glacier leadership is confident that as long as Senate Democrats do not shut down the federal government then the park hiring and plowing will progress on schedule,” said Zinke . “While two probationary employees were laid off, the Park has a plan moving forward to ensure the world class experience that Montanans and visitors seek will remain intact.” ###