Federal employees and federal contract workers represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) are facing uncertainty as a potential government shutdown looms on October 1, 2025. The union has expressed concern about the impact such a shutdown would have on its members and other federal workers.
The IAM called for bipartisan cooperation in Congress to prevent a shutdown. “The IAM strongly urges a bipartisan funding solution, negotiated in good faith between Democrats and Republicans, to prevent a shutdown. A shutdown is unjust, cruel, and devastating to working families and we will never stand by while our members are used as leverage for political gain. The IAM also strongly condemns the White House’s threat to use a shutdown as a means to justify illegally firing scores of federal workers,” the organization stated.
Representing more than 110,000 federal workers nationwide through both the IAM and its affiliate, the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM), the union highlighted past challenges faced during previous government closures. During the 35-day government shutdown in early 2019, over one million federal contract workers missed paychecks, including thousands of IAM members.
To address these issues, the IAM is supporting legislative efforts such as the Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act. This bill, led by Senators Tina Smith, Tim Kaine, Mark Warner, Chris Van Hollen, and Angela Alsobrooks, aims to ensure that contract workers receive compensation for lost wages during any future shutdowns.
The union also provided guidance for its members on how to prepare: “Report to work as usual unless you receive an official written furlough notice. Without it, missing work could mean an unexcused absence.” Members were encouraged to stay informed through union updates and utilize available resources like furlough guidance websites and unemployment insurance information.
“We will not allow reckless elected officials to gamble with the livelihoods of the men and women who keep this country running. We are stronger when we work together,” concluded the message from IAM leadership.
