The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has begun offering reappointments to disaster workers whose contracts were not renewed in January, according to a notice filed on Friday in a U.S. District Court. The action reverses a decision earlier this year that led to legal challenges from a coalition of labor unions, scientific organizations, and local governments.

In a filing submitted to the U.S. District Court in San Francisco, U.S. Attorney Craig Missakian stated that FEMA has “initiated contact to offer new appointments” to term-limited employees whose contracts expired during the first three weeks of January. These workers constitute about half of FEMA’s overall workforce and handle critical disaster response responsibilities.

The agency’s initial move to let these contracts lapse sparked controversy and prompted several groups to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The plaintiffs cited concerns over the impact of the layoffs on disaster preparedness and the potential loss of experienced personnel amid ongoing emergency needs.

FEMA’s decision to reinstate offers followed months of uncertainty regarding the future of these workers, whose roles are essential in managing the agency’s response to natural disasters and other emergencies. The reappointment initiative aims to restore operational stability and ensure that FEMA maintains a capable and ready workforce to address disaster-related challenges.

The filing did not specify the timeline for the acceptance of these new appointments or the number of positions being reinstated. However, the agency’s action signals a shift toward resolving the personnel issue that has drawn criticism from various stakeholders invested in the agency’s ongoing crisis management efforts.