The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union), which represents 600,000 members, is urging Congress to pass the Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act. The proposed legislation (S. 2963 / H.R. 5657) aims to provide back pay for federal contract workers who have lost wages due to the ongoing government shutdown.
Lawmakers including U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, Sens. Tim Kaine, Mark Warner, Chris Van Hollen, Angela Alsobrooks, Rep. Donald Norcross, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick introduced the bill following the shutdown’s impact on federal contractors who are currently facing furloughs and missed paychecks.
In a letter addressed to lawmakers in both chambers of Congress, IAM Union International President Brian Bryant stated: “Through no fault of their own, many of these families faced the reality of missing payments on their mortgages, student loans, school tuition, car loans, health care premiums, daycare, interest fees, and so many other expenses. Today, they are looking down the barrel of a similar fate. Contract workers and their families should not suffer the consequences of a shutdown they had no hand in creating. Dedicated federal contract workers maintain the aircraft, vehicles and systems that keep our military mission-ready and our nation secure. Many live paycheck to paycheck and are among the first to feel the devastating impact of a government shutdown.”
The IAM Union has also condemned what it describes as an unlawful threat from the Trump administration regarding withholding back pay from federal workers affected by the shutdown.
The union continues to express support for all federal and contract workers and calls on both chambers of Congress to act quickly in ending the shutdown and passing the Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act so that working families do not bear undue hardship.
