The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest union representing federal workers, is calling for an end to the government shutdown. They are urging Democrats to drop their current demands and pass a straightforward funding bill. This request comes as the shutdown continues to affect many federal employees.
AFGE President Everett Kelley, who leads a union of over 800,000 federal and D.C. government employees, emphasized the need for immediate action. He wants Congress to reopen the government quickly with a short-term continuing resolution and ensure that all federal workers, whether furloughed or working without pay, receive full back pay.
Kelley stated, “It’s time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today. No half measures, and no gamesmanship.” He highlighted the struggles of federal employees, including those from the TSA, Army, and USDA, who are currently working without pay and facing financial difficulties.
The union’s demands come as Senate Democrats insist they will not vote to reopen the government without guarantees from Republicans and former President Donald Trump regarding the extension of health care subsidies through the Affordable Care Act. These subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year.
While the AFGE frames this issue as a humanitarian crisis, it has historically aligned itself with the Democratic Party. The union endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 and has participated in protests against Trump. Despite its political ties, Kelley’s statement portrays federal workers as innocent victims caught in political disputes.
The AFGE’s call for a “clean” continuing resolution, free from additional conditions or negotiations, aligns with the Republican stance for immediate government funding. As the shutdown stretches into its fourth week, the tension between the federal workforce and the Democratic Party is becoming increasingly apparent.
