Government Shutdown and Layoffs Impact Black Women in Workforce

Impact of Government Shutdown on Black Women in Federal Workforce Intensifies

The ongoing government shutdown, now in its fifth week, has begun to reveal a troubling pattern affecting Black women employed in federal roles. As the administration pushes to reduce the number of federal employees, Black women are disproportionately bearing the brunt of these efforts.

Black women constitute nearly 12% of the federal workforce, a figure that is twice their representation in the broader U.S. labor market. Historically, federal employment has served as a reliable path to the middle class, providing stability, union support, competitive wages, and strong retirement benefits not typically found in private sector roles.

However, the current administration's policies have led to a significant exodus of Black women from the workforce, with 300,000 leaving their jobs across public and private sectors. At the same time, the unemployment rate for Black women has seen an upward trend.

Federal departments predominantly employing women, such as Education, Housing and Urban Development, and Veterans Affairs, have faced significant cuts, exacerbating the situation. Additionally, the shutdown has resulted in further workforce reductions, despite temporary reprieves from organizations like AFSCME through legal action.

The administration’s Project 2025 initiative has further weakened collective bargaining rights for federal employees. Union membership notably benefits workers, enhancing pay, benefits, and retirement security—a crucial factor for Black women who average 12.6% higher earnings compared to their nonunionized peers, even as the wage gap widens.

Job losses among Black women in federal employment have broader social implications, impacting their communities significantly. This underscores the commitment of organizations like AFSCME to defend workers' rights against the current administration's policies.

Through initiatives such as the Get Organized campaign, AFSCME is rallying to counter the adverse impacts on working families. Join us. Get Organized.