Court Ruling Halts Minnesota Job Cuts, For Now

St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News)- A recent court ruling has temporarily halted dozens of job cuts in Minnesota. 

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Earlier this month, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced plans to lay off 170 employees. 

The state agency also said other employees were informed their positions were at risk and about 20 workers who were set to start with the department had their job offers rescinded. 

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In all, 300 employees received notices about their jobs earlier this month. At the time of announcing the workforce reduction, MDH said the job cuts was due to the federal government cutting $220 million in previously approved federal grant funding.

Court Ruling Delays Minnesota Department of Health Layoff Until May

On Tuesday, MDH announced the layoff would be delayed following a temporary restraining order issued by a federal district court in Rhode Island. 

A news release issued by MDH says the April 5 ruling allowed them to hold off on dismissing the 170 employees until next month. 

“We are grateful for this action by the court, which we feel aligns with the federal government’s responsibility to us as a grantee,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Brooke Cunningham in a statement. 

MDH previously indicated the grant funded jobs involving the state’s response to measles and H5N1.

Employees conducting wastewater surveillance, the state’s public health laboratory, and community clinics and vaccination efforts are also funded by the grant dollars. 

We continue to remain hopeful for a positive long-term outcome in this case that would allow us to mitigate the need to layoff so many smart, dedicated staff who are vital to protecting the health of Minnesotans,” Cunningham said.