As we await news regarding budgetary negotiations in Congress, we are, unfortunately, preparing for a government shutdown. Only recently did we experience the longest government shutdown in U.S. history in 2018-2019, which lasted 35 days. We have members who are still recuperating from that last shutdown. Another shutdown could cause irreparable financial harm to employees, many who are still paying back loans from those 2018-2019 shutdown years. In addition to this, a budget—or at the very least a continuing resolution—must be passed prior to the September 30 deadline, to keep our agency—and other applicable agencies—funded.
As federal employees, we are sick and tired of being used as political pawns, seemingly more often than in past years, while Congressional elected leaders continue to receive a paycheck while simultaneously toying with our members’ livelihoods. In addition to our members, as public servants, we are concerned with the care and services provided to the American public. A financial catastrophe, resulting from any length of a shutdown, places our federal employees in a position in which they must show up to work, while accumulating associated costs, without pay. Meanwhile, they will be worried about rent, bills, and childcare, yet required to keep the agency’s mission front and center during this tumultuous time. This is not a position in which lawmakers should be placing our nation’s aviation gatekeepers who safeguard our skies.
In Solidarity,
AFGE Council 100, AFL-CIO
Hydrick Thomas, President | Mac Johnson, Council Executive Vice President | Johnny Jones, Council Secretary-Treasurer | Thomas Schoregge, Region 1 V.P. | John Hubert, Region 2 V.P. | Janis Casey, Region 3 V.P. | Becky Mancha, Region 4 V.P. | Greg Biel, Region 5 V.P. | Bobby Orozco Jr., Region 6 V.P. | Joe Shuker, Region 7 V.P. | Victor Payes Martinez, Fair Practices Coordinator | Concetta Fialkowski, Women’s Coordinator