Brian Bryant, International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union), has called on Congress to act swiftly to fund the federal government and prevent a shutdown. In a statement issued on September 29, Bryant emphasized the potential impact such an event would have on tens of thousands of IAM federal employees, federal contract workers, and others across the country.
Bryant urged lawmakers from both parties to negotiate a temporary funding measure in good faith. “The IAM strongly urges a bipartisan funding solution, which should be negotiated in good faith to reach a solution between both Democrats and Republicans to offer a temporary funding measure and avoid a shutdown,” he said.
He also criticized the White House for what he described as threats to use a shutdown as justification for firing federal workers. “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. Threats of such an action are unjust and cruel to civil servants, many of whom are Veterans who have already sacrificed and given so much to our great nation,” Bryant stated.
Bryant highlighted the importance of federal workers, noting their roles range from food inspection and social security administration to air traffic control, TSA operations, and military service. He added that these individuals should not be used as bargaining chips during political disputes. “Federal workers should not be treated as political pawns in such a fight. These civil servants are so crucial for our nation, from our food inspectors, to social security, air traffic controllers and TSA agents, and even to the military personnel we depend on every day to keep our nation moving forward.”
IAM Union represents thousands of federal workers through its affiliate organization, the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM), which covers about 110,000 federal employees nationwide.
Bryant pointed out that private sector contract workers who work alongside federal employees often do not receive back pay after shutdowns end. He described government shutdowns as particularly harmful for this group because they perform essential duties but may face financial hardship if funding lapses.
