KLAS: DOGE fires Nevada’s GSA workers, what it means for federal buildings

SOURCE

by: Ryan Tisminezky

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) made another move impacting Nevadans this week, firing employees of the General Services Administration (GSA) across the state.

The GSA is the equivalent of a property manager for federal buildings. Part of their job is to hire contractors like janitors, HVAC technicians, and more. On Monday, GSA employees received an email obtained by 8 News Now telling them their unit was being abolished, which includes all their jobs.

“This email serves as notice that your organizational unit is being abolished along with all position within the unit–including yours,” the email read. “To provide you with the maximum opportunity to focus on your transition, you will be placed on administrative leave starting today, Monday, March 3, 2025.”

“This Reduction in Force (RIF) is part of the agency’s restructuring process and the functions of affected GSA units no longer align with the agency’s goals and recent Executive Orders and guidance from the Office of Personnel Management…,” it continued. “This decision is in no way a reflection of your performance or contributions, which we deeply appreciate.”

“I recognize that this is a challenging moment, and my team is committed to supporting you through this transition.”

The GSA is also in charge of real estate for federally leased and owned buildings. If you rent space in a federal building, there’s a high likelihood you’re paying the GSA.

Randall Roske is a retired federal public defender who spent his career in Las Vegas. He has now taken to protesting outside the courthouse. He used to interact with GSA employees in his day-to-day work. Roske said they were like any other property manager — sometimes they would disagree over how low to keep the thermostat, but said they were essential to keeping the place running.

“It means that we’re going to have an infrastructure failure that’s going to be catastrophic,” Roske said. “And it’s not going to just affect people that are government employees, but the public that relies on those buildings and those offices to be accessible.”

Fired employees are on paid administrative leave for 90 days while they look for their next job.

A GSA spokesperson sent the following statement to 8 News Now:

“Members of the General Service Administration’s (GSA) Public Buildings Service (PBS) were notified on Monday, March 3rd, that they had been identified as part of GSA’s Reduction in Force (RIF) and reorganization plan and were being separated from federal service.

All notifications were conducted in accordance with OPM and GSA policies and guidelines. This action was taken in support of the following Executive Orders: “The Hiring Freeze”, dated January 20, 2025; “Eliminating the Federal Executive Institute”, dated February 10, 2025; and the “Implementing the President’s Department of Government Efficiency Workforce Optimization Initiative”, dated February 11, 2025. GSA is committed to supporting impacted employees as they transition from federal service.

GSA is executing on our strategy to centralize the management of our services, make data-driven decisions and partner with best-in-class commercial services.  

GSA is in contact with customer tenant agencies that may be impacted by this action and will continue to support their critical work for the American taxpayer while we execute a plan to increase space utilization and occupancy.

In this new model, the GSA will not only maintain facility services including repairs, maintenance, janitorial and security through our existing partners, but we will exceed the quality of service to enable our agency customers to fulfill their missions.”