The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union), which represents about 600,000 members, is urging Congress to pass the Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act (S. 2963 / H.R. 5657). This proposed legislation would provide back pay to federal contract workers who lose wages during the ongoing government shutdown.
After the federal government shut down, a group of lawmakers introduced the bill to address the financial impact on contract workers. The sponsors include Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.), 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.).
IAM Union International President Brian Bryant wrote in a letter to Congress, “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.” He continued: “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 also criticized what it described as an unlawful threat from the Trump administration regarding withholding back pay from federal employees affected by the shutdown.
The union has called for swift passage of the Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act and an end to the shutdown so that working families do not face further hardship.
