The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union), which represents 600,000 members across aerospace, defense, and Service Contract Act sectors, is urging Congress to support legislation that would provide back pay to federal contract workers affected by the ongoing government shutdown.
The bipartisan Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act (S. 2963 / H.R. 5657) was introduced by U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.), with support from Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Rep. Donald Norcross (D-N.J.), Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.). The proposed legislation aims to ensure that federal contract workers receive compensation for lost wages during periods when the government is not operating.
IAM Union International President Brian Bryant addressed lawmakers in both the House and Senate, stating: “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 criticized what it describes as an unlawful threat from the Trump administration regarding withholding back pay from federal workers impacted by the shutdown.
The union continues to advocate for a swift resolution to the shutdown and calls for prompt passage of the Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act in order to protect working families.
