9.28.23 – Government Shutdown Looming: Call Congress Today

Government Shutdown Looming
Call Congress Today!

Thursday, September 28, 2023

In anticipation that Congress will not be able to pass government funding by midnight on Saturday September 30th, the federal government is preparing to shut down. If Congress does not pass government funding by this deadline, hundreds of thousands of government workers will be furloughed. Only “essential” government workers be able to work, but they will not be paid.

As Flight Attendants, we work in a highly regulated industry that depends on government workers to be able to do their jobs. We work in a safety-sensitive industry that depends on all layers of our safety and security systems to be focused on their duties.

We saw what happened in the 35-day shutdown in 2018-2019. Air Traffic Controllers were required to come to work without pay. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Officers were required to come to work without pay. FAA Inspectors were required to come to work without pay. Many government workers are living paycheck-to-paycheck. Many of these workers cannot afford to come to work without being paid. We heard the stories of TSA Officers sleeping in their cars to save money on gas. We heard stories of longer airport lines because TSA Officers had to find other jobs to pay the bills. We saw travelers and Flight Attendants face delays as TSA lines got longer and our air traffic control system was stressed.

Hundreds of thousands of government workers not deemed “essential” will be furloughed. This includes tens of thousands of workers at the FAA and the DHS. As we progress through our negotiations, it is also important to note that National Mediation Board staff will also be furloughed.

Government shutdowns are inefficient and costly. Not only do shutdowns stop necessary government functions, shutdown procedures begin in the weeks before a potential shutdown and reopening procedures occupy the weeks after government reopening. In 2019, federal workers were back-paid for the 35-day work stoppage. Shutting down the government is not an effective way to make a point, nor does it save taxpayer dollars.

You can help put pressure Congress to ensure this doesn’t happen again!
Call your Senators and Representatives – tell them to do their job and fund our government!
Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121
Government shutdowns are not the solution!

“Hello, my name is _______ and I’m a constituent and Flight Attendant. I’m calling the tell my Representative/Senator to avert a government shutdown by passing a budget agreement before the end of September. Then immediately get to work on long-term funding so workers have the stability to do our jobs and live our lives. It is unfair to expect essential federal workers to work without pay while Congress refuses to do it’s job. These are the people who keep us safe, and they are people who live and work in our communities. If they can’t do their job, Flight Attendants can’t do our job.”

In Solidarity,

Allie Malis
APFA Government Affairs Representative

Lori Glattly
APFA Government Affairs Representative

[email protected]