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Local resident describes being terminated as probationary federal employee during public comment
Summary
A Wenatchee-area resident told the council he was fired in February as a probationary employee at a federal research site and described personal and financial impacts; the comment was recorded during the council’s public comment period and did not result in council action.
During the public comment period at the Wenatchee City Council meeting, David Sanders of 18225 Chacono Lane SW, Rochester, Washington, told the council he was a federal employee who said he and every probationary employee at his site were terminated by email on Feb. 13, 2025.
Sanders said he was hired in September 2024 as an IT specialist supporting scientists and described his role as maintaining IT systems that researchers rely on. He told the council he was fired for cause solely on the basis of his probationary status, not for misconduct or poor performance, and that he has filed an appeal. Sanders described applying for unemployment and searching for new work while his family’s savings covered only about two months of mortgage payments; he said he and his wife paused student loan payments and faced the risk of losing their vehicle.
“I owe my deepest gratitude” Sanders said to colleagues who stayed on to keep the public work moving and to judges, organizations and citizens who spoke out, he added. His remarks were recorded during the public comment section; the transcript includes no formal city action in response to his statement.
