A coalition of federal unions are calling on Democratic leadership to fight back against budget cuts to “critical public services,” even if it leads to a government shutdown and mass layoffs.
In a letter to minority leaders Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the Federal Unionists Network and 35 local, council and national unions urged the Democrats to reject any proposal that cuts health care, social security, Veterans’ Affairs and scientific agencies.
“We are directly impacted when the government shuts down: our members would no longer be able to work, get paid, or fulfill their mission of serving the American public,” the letter states. “But we believe the most important thing is fighting against the centralization of executive power and for the long-term survival of the critical services the federal government provides, even if that means allowing the government to temporarily shut down.”
Congress has only two days left to pass a budget: Republicans are fighting to pass a short-term plan, but Democrats have argued the proposal does not adequately address concerns around health care. Congressional leaders are planning to meet with President Donald Trump later Monday.
But the unions’ letter comes after the White House instructed federal agencies to prepare reduction-in-force plans for mass firings during a possible government shutdown. Already this year, thousands of federal employees were already laid off under the Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaire Elon Musk. Still, many Democrats believe the White House is bluffing about its latest threats of layoffs.
“We’ve known for some time that this Administration wants massive RIFs. This is not new,” Alissa Tafti, co-executive director of the Federal Unionist Network, said in a statement. “What is new is using a shutdown as a threat to pressure Congress to pass a budget that impacts our most vulnerable, including seniors, rural communities, hungry children and cuts out access to healthcare for millions of Americans.”
But a shutdown would mean federal workers don’t receive a paycheck for the duration of the closure, even though they remain employed.
Still, the letter to Schumer and Jeffries states that workers are willing to go without a paycheck if it means an agreement on funding for public services is reached.
“A government shutdown is never Plan A,” the letter states. “Federal workers and the communities we serve will face severe hardship. But federal workers will willingly forego paychecks in the hopes of preserving the programs we have devoted our lives to administering. In order to save our services today, we need to send a message to this Administration that enough is enough.”
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