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 in the Senate sponsored by Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii).
The proposed law aims to protect federal employees and contractors from financial difficulties during government shutdowns or when the federal debt limit is breached. It would temporarily suspend certain civil liabilities, including rent, mortgage payments, student loans, and tax obligations, for workers who are furloughed or required to work without pay. The bill also seeks to prevent eviction, foreclosure, credit penalties, and loss of insurance coverage for these individuals.
IAM Union International President Brian Bryant stated, “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.”
The IAM Union represents over 100,000 federal employees and federal service contract workers nationwide, including those responsible for maintaining military aircraft, operating national parks, and providing other essential public services. The union has a history of advocating for fair treatment and financial stability for these workers during periods when government funding lapses.
The Federal Employees Civil Relief Act is modeled after protections already in place for military service members under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. It would pause financial obligations and civil proceedings during a shutdown and for 30 days afterward, aiming to provide affected workers with additional security.
