Shutdown Update: Federal Government Affairs, AFSCME International Union

Anti-union majorities in the House, Senate and White House are sticking to their commitment to cut health care funding for more than 22 million Americans, even if it means shutting down the government. Senate Leader John Thune is unlikely to get new support for the partisan, anti-worker budget he tried to pass last week. If that bill fails again, it will likely mean that the anti-union majority will keep the government shut down until at least Tuesday, October 8. House Speaker Mike Johnson has put the House in recess until then, preventing any opportunity to end the threats to federal workers, rural hospitals and the health care of 22 million Americans. For federal workers in AFSCME District Council 20, it means more uncertainty and hardship in a year that’s already subjected them to relentless attacks on their jobs and their freedoms. Now the administration is threatening to use this shutdown as an excuse to illegally fire AFSCME members. Our demand to Congress is simple. Lower health care costs. Protect federal workers. Fund public services.

We’ve endorsed the Help Federal Employees During a Shutdown Act, which would allow federal workers required to work without pay during the shutdown to apply for unemployment insurance.