The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) and the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) have issued a joint statement urging Republican leadership to negotiate with Democratic leaders to end the ongoing government shutdown.
In their statement, the unions emphasized their representation of over 115,000 federal workers and more than 30,000 Service Contract Act workers. They noted that these employees and their families are being affected by the continued closure of the federal government. The unions criticized the GOP-controlled U.S. House of Representatives for remaining out of session while federal employees face financial hardship.
“The IAM Union and NFFE-IAM continue to urge GOP Leadership to meet with Democratic Leaders and negotiate a deal that reopens the federal government immediately.
“Together, we proudly represent more than 115,000 federal workers and over 30,000 Service Contract Act workers whose jobs, pay, and families are being directly impacted by this shutdown. While the GOP-controlled U.S. House of Representatives remains out of session, hundreds of thousands of federal workers, contractors and their families are paying the price for their political inaction. Republican members of Congress are the only government workers who are home, but still getting paid. The American people deserve a government that works as hard as they do.
“Our members perform critical jobs — supporting our military, protecting our national parks and public lands, caring for our nation’s veterans, and ensuring that government services are delivered safely and efficiently. Quality, affordable healthcare is a top priority of our union, and our members should never have to worry about losing access to care or pay because of political gridlock.
“The IAM Union and NFFE-IAM call on Washington to put people before politics, immediately end this unnecessary crisis, and provide backpay to all federal workers and contractors who have had to endure this reckless political standoff.”
The IAM Union is one of North America’s largest industrial trade unions with about 600,000 active and retired members across sectors such as aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroad transit, healthcare, automotive industries in both the United States and Canada.
