(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - On November 12th, President Donald Trump signed legislation that officially ended the longest Government shutdown in history and the subsequent Continuing Resolution (CR) not only funds operations through January 30th, it also blocks the Trump Administration from carrying out mass reductions-in-force through the end of the CR.

As such, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is urging all AFGE Members and Federal Employees to contact their Senators and tell them to vote yes on the Shutdown Fairness Act (Click here to take action).

AFGE National President Everett Kelley said: “The AFGE is grateful to the Senators who fought to ensure that Federal Employees’ job security is not hanging in the balance while they determine spending levels. Federal Employees, a third of whom are Veterans, are patriotic Americans and they should never have to stand in line at food banks because Congress has refused to do its job.”

While the shutdown has ended - for now, the AFGE has deep concerns about the growing use of Government shutdowns as leverage for political gain.

That’s why AFGE is urging support for legislation recently introduced in the Senate (S. 3168), the Shutdown Fairness Act.

This bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator Ron Johnson (Republican-Wisconsin) will finally ensure Federal Employees are protected from the financial harm of Government shutdowns.

The Bill also ensures Military Personnel will also be paid during shutdowns.

When the Government shuts down, Federal Employees shouldn’t have to choose between paying rent and serving their country, the AFGE said- S. 3168 guarantees funds are used only and directly to pay Federal Employees - no diversions, no loopholes, no politics - every dollar goes straight to the people who make government work.

This isn’t a partisan issue- it’s a fairness issue, the AFGE said.

Federal Employees from every State, every community and every Federal Agency deserve the assurance that their livelihoods won’t be held hostage in budget fights.

The revised version of S. 3168 strengthens the protections, ensuring all current Federal Employees are paid on time and in full, even when Congress can’t reach a funding agreement.

Shutdowns don’t just hurt Federal Employees - they hurt families, communities, and the economy, the AFGE underscored.

To Directly Access This Labor News Report, Go To: AFGE | AFGE Urges Passage of the Shutdown Fairness Act Amid Shutdown End