The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union), which represents 600,000 members, has announced its support for the Federal Employees Civil Relief Act. The legislation was introduced by U.S. Representatives Brendan F. Boyle (D-Pa.) and Emily Randall (D-Wash.), with a companion bill sponsored by Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii).
The proposed act is designed to protect federal employees and contractors from financial difficulties that can occur during government shutdowns or breaches of the federal debt limit. If passed, it would suspend certain civil liabilities, including rent, mortgage payments, student loans, and tax obligations for furloughed workers or those required to work without pay. It also includes safeguards against eviction, foreclosure, credit penalties, and the loss of insurance coverage.
IAM Union International President Brian Bryant said, “Every time there’s a government shutdown, the people who keep our country running — the men and women who maintain our aircraft, protect our borders, care for our veterans, and serve our communities — are forced to pay the price. The IAM Union strongly supports the Federal Employees Civil Relief Act because no federal employee or contractor should face eviction, foreclosure, or financial ruin for simply doing their jobs. We thank Representatives Boyle and Randall, and Senator Schatz, for standing up for the dignity and security of working people who deserve protection from political brinkmanship.”
IAM Union represents over 100,000 federal employees and federal service contract workers throughout the United States. These workers are responsible for maintaining military aircraft, operating national parks, and providing essential public services. The union has a history of advocating for measures that offer fair treatment and financial security for these workers during periods when government funding lapses.
The Federal Employees Civil Relief Act is modeled after the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, which provides protections for military personnel. The new legislation would pause financial obligations and civil proceedings during a government shutdown and for 30 days after it ends, giving affected workers additional security.
