The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) and the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) have responded to the end of the recent federal government shutdown by calling for full back pay for both federal employees and contract workers who were furloughed.
In a joint statement, the organizations expressed concern about unresolved issues related to healthcare and Medicaid funding. “While we are extremely disappointed that the GOP did not negotiate a deal that prevents a healthcare crisis, nor does it restore draconian cuts to Medicaid, our top priority has and will always will be to protect our members who do vitally important work for the federal government — both as federal employees and federal contractors. We are encouraged by the reopening of the government and strongly urge Congress to do its jobs and provide back pay for all workers — federal employees and contractors — who were furloughed during this manufactured shutdown.”
The IAM Union represents more than 115,000 federal workers along with over 30,000 Service Contract Act workers. According to their statement, these individuals faced financial hardship due to political disagreements leading up to the shutdown. The union highlighted that its members perform essential tasks such as supporting military operations, protecting public lands, caring for veterans, and maintaining key government services.
The unions emphasized that contract workers should also receive full back pay: “We believe that the contract workers who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with federal employees should receive full back pay without delay, and the IAM continues to point out that over a million federal contract workers went unpaid during prior shutdowns. The lack of back pay for federal contract workers shows a lack of respect for the work they do to help keep our nation safe.”
They called on lawmakers in Congress as well as administration officials to address compensation issues swiftly while seeking long-term solutions: “We urge Congress and the administration to work together to provide backpay to all federal workers and contractors while taking measures to prevent future shutdowns. The American people deserve a government that works as hard and as faithfully as they do. No family should ever again be forced to choose between paying bills and serving their country.”
The IAM Union concluded by reaffirming its commitment: “The IAM and NFFE-IAM will continue to stand with our members and fight to ensure their voices are heard, their pay is protected, and their work is respected.”
