The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) is urging Congress to pass the Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act (S. 2963 / H.R. 5657), a bipartisan bill aimed at providing back pay to federal contract workers affected by the ongoing government shutdown.
The legislation was introduced by U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.), with support from 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.). The measure seeks to address the financial difficulties faced by thousands of federal contract workers who have been furloughed or missed paychecks due to the shutdown.
In a letter to lawmakers, IAM Union International President Brian Bryant stated, “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 added, “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 workers impacted by the shutdown.
The union expressed solidarity with all federal and contract workers and called for swift action in both chambers of Congress to end the shutdown and pass legislation ensuring working families receive compensation for lost wages.
