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 leaders in Congress to negotiate with Democratic leaders to end the ongoing federal government shutdown.
In their statement, the unions said, “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.”
They highlighted that they represent more than 115,000 federal workers and over 30,000 Service Contract Act workers whose employment and families are being affected by the shutdown. The unions criticized the GOP-controlled House of Representatives for remaining out of session while many federal employees and contractors face financial hardship. According to their statement, “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.”
The unions emphasized the essential services provided by their members: “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.”
They called on lawmakers in Washington to resolve the situation quickly: “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. It represents around 600,000 active and retired members across various sectors including aerospace, defense, airlines, shipbuilding, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive industries as well as in both the United States and Canada.
