Unions Demand Federal Workers Receive Back Pay Amid Shutdown Concerns

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Concern mounts as Democracy Defenders Fund (DDF) alongside two major labor unions, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), push for clarity from the Office of Management and Budget regarding the pay of furloughed federal employees. Reports have surfaced indicating potential plans to withhold back pay, a move these organizations argue is illegal under current law.

The advocacy groups addressed a formal letter to the Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought. This correspondence highlights provisions within the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act, which mandates that furloughed federal workers "shall be paid" for any lapsed appropriations. This statute, signed into law by President Trump, appears to leave no room for interpretation or delay in payment.

Virginia Canter, the Chief Counsel and Director of Ethics and Anti-Corruption at DDF, voiced strong objections: “Federal employees don’t choose when the government shuts down. Regardless of politics or party, government employees are our fellow citizens who have chosen to dedicate their lives to serving our nation. They are not bargaining chips, and any attempt by the Administration to disavow its legal obligations represents an extraordinary degree of bad faith.” Canter emphasized that if the administration attempts to circumvent these obligations, decisive actions will be taken to ensure compliance.

AFGE National President Everett Kelley, representing the interests of 820,000 federal workers, expressed similar discontent. “On behalf of the 820,000 federal employees AFGE represents, we are demanding that the Trump administration abide by the law and pay its workers. Federal employees are patriotic Americans, who did not ask to be dragged in the middle of this political fight,” Kelley stated, characterizing any withholding of pay as both cruel and illegal.

AFSCME President Lee Saunders added his voice to the demand for legal adherence, remarking, “We are sending this letter to demand that the administration follow the law and pay federal workers the wages they are legally owed. There is no ambiguity – furloughed federal workers are guaranteed back pay.” Saunders urged the administration to stop using federal employees as “political pawns” and called for a clear commitment to following the law.

Read the full letter here.