lateral vs. list

OK so my department hired a bunch of people off of the lay off list which is fine. Now those people are beeing hired back including the ones who we just hired three weeks ago. To replace them they are calling for laterals rather than hire off of the civil service list. this is not the first time the chief has done this since he has been here. I think its unfair to the people who are waiting on the list who have lived in the city their whole life. Am I wrong by thinking this? :?: