The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) has urged Congress to pass the Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act (S. 2963 / H.R. 5657). The proposed legislation aims to provide back pay for federal contract workers who have lost wages due to the ongoing government shutdown.
Lawmakers including U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, Sens. Tim Kaine, Mark Warner, Chris Van Hollen, Angela Alsobrooks, Rep. Donald Norcross, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick introduced the bill in response to the shutdown’s impact on federal contract employees.
In a letter addressed to members of the House and Senate, 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,” Bryant wrote. “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 called an unlawful threat from the Trump administration regarding withholding back pay from affected federal workers.
The union reiterated its support for both federal and contract employees during this period and encouraged lawmakers in both chambers to end the shutdown while passing legislation that would ensure working families receive owed compensation.
