Glacier Country News

On Tuesday, the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) issued a ruling that requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to temporarily reinstate nearly 6,000 workers. This decision affects probationary Forest Service employees who will be reinstated from March 5 to April 18, 2025.

Congressman Zinke responded to this development with an 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.”

Zinke also met with the Superintendent of Glacier National Park to discuss personnel issues, infrastructure needs, and operating plans. He stated: “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.” He added that while two probationary employees were laid off, there is a plan in place to maintain "the world class experience that Montanans and visitors seek."