The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union), which represents 600,000 members, has announced its support for the Federal Employees Civil Relief Act. The bill was introduced by U.S. Representatives Brendan F. Boyle (D-Pa.) and Emily Randall (D-Wash.), with a companion measure sponsored by Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii).
The proposed legislation aims to protect federal employees and contractors from financial difficulties during government shutdowns or breaches of the federal debt limit. It would temporarily suspend civil liabilities such as rent, mortgage payments, student loans, and tax obligations for workers who are furloughed or required to work without pay. The act also seeks to shield these workers from eviction, foreclosure, credit penalties, and loss of insurance coverage.
Brian Bryant, IAM Union International President, stated: “Every time there’s a government shutdown, the people who keep our country running — the men and women who maintain our aircraft, protect our borders, care for our veterans, and serve our communities — are forced to pay the price. The IAM Union strongly supports the Federal Employees Civil Relief Act because no federal employee or contractor should face eviction, foreclosure, or financial ruin for simply doing their jobs. We thank Representatives Boyle and Randall, and Senator Schatz, for standing up for the dignity and security of working people who deserve protection from political brinkmanship.”
IAM Union represents over 100,000 federal employees and service contract workers across the United States. These include individuals responsible for maintaining military aircraft, operating national parks, and providing essential public services. The union has long advocated for measures that offer fair treatment and financial stability to these workers during periods when government funding is uncertain.
The Federal Employees Civil Relief Act is modeled after protections in place for military service members under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. If enacted, it would pause certain financial obligations and civil proceedings during a shutdown period as well as for 30 days afterward.
