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Government shut down takes toll on federal workers
The government shutdown is taking its toll on workers who say they are unsure if or when the next paycheck will arrive.
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The government shutdown is taking its toll on workers who say they are unsure if or when the next paycheck will arrive.
On Friday, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta held a listening session with furloughed federal employees to better understand their concerns.
The session was mostly closed-door, allowing employees to speak freely about how the shutdown is affecting their families. Workers stressed the fear and frustration they face as the shutdown drags on.
Workers share struggles
What they're saying:
A union leader representing Transportation Security Administration employees asked not to be identified, but said many workers are living paycheck to paycheck.
"We have workers who rent. We have workers who work paycheck to paycheck. Workers trying to be full-time, this is going to hurt them," she said.
The uncertainty weighs heavily.
"We had food donations last time we did this. We had officers who needed the food donations for their families," she said.
Government shutdown: Furloughed workers and Bay Area park closures
Federal workers with NASA, the U.S. Geological Survey, and other offices at Moffett Field in Mountain View received emails Wednesday morning announcing the furloughs and ordering them to wrap up their work.
California impact
Local perspective:
California has the largest number of federal workers of any state, with more than 150,000. Panetta’s district alone includes about 7,000 federal employees.
"Some congressional districts have more federal workers than some states do," said Cesar Lara of the California Labor Federation.
Workers at the session represented the TSA, the Defense Language Institute, and the U.S. Geological Survey. Some worried furloughs could result in permanent staff reductions.
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Countdown to closure: Why a government shutdown matters
The deadline for Congress to pay a government funding bill is approaching. If Republicans and Democrats cannot reach a deal, there will be a partial government shutdown. Martha Gimbel, executive director and co-founder of the Budget Lab at Yale, explains potential impacts.
Concerns about government restructuring
Big picture view:
Panetta acknowledged those concerns, saying that the shutdown could be used as an opportunity to reshape the federal workforce.
"Whether or not they’re going to take this opportunity of a shutdown to reshape the government as they see fit," he said.
Push for bipartisan solutions
Dig deeper:
The congressman said he will amplify workers’ voices, hopeful that conversations like this could lead to more bipartisan progress in Washington.
"Stop talking about how you’re going to hurt people. Start talking with Democrats about how we can help people when it comes to getting this government back open," Panetta said.
Employees urged lawmakers to put the nation above politics.
"It’s called negotiation for a reason. Make it open, make it transparent, and don’t use federal workers as pawns," the TSA union leader said.