Laid off federal employees will receive preference in hiring for Montgomery County jobs, but they will not move to the front of the line.
Following a unanimous vote Tuesday by Montgomery County councilmembers, veterans and people with disabilities will receive first preference in hiring. Then displaced federal workers will be considered.
“This is about protecting our community,” said Council Vice President Will Jawando. He called the firings of federal workers unfair “and, in my opinion, illegal.” The layoffs are bad for Montgomery County and bad for the country, he added.
According to Jawando, there are more than 70,000 federal employees in Montgomery County. Of those workers, more than 4,000 have been affected by layoffs, he said.
“These are real people with real lives. These are our neighbors, our friends,” Jawando said of those who were laid off.
Now, the displaced federal workers who qualify for a job opening will automatically move to the interview stage after qualified veterans and people with disabilities. If the position remains open and the former federal worker is considered good candidates, the interviews will stop and that person will be chosen, Jawando explained.
The person must live in Montgomery County as of Jan. 1.
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