The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union), which represents 600,000 members in the aerospace, defense, and Service Contract Act sectors, has called on Congress to pass the Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act (S. 2963 / H.R. 5657). This legislation is intended to guarantee back pay for federal contract workers who have lost wages due to the ongoing government shutdown.
The bipartisan bill was introduced by U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.), along with Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Rep. Donald Norcross (D-N.J.), Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.). The legislation aims to provide financial relief for thousands of federal contract workers affected by furloughs and missed paychecks during the shutdown.
IAM Union International President Brian Bryant addressed lawmakers in both chambers about the impact of the shutdown on federal contract workers and their families: “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.”
In addition to advocating for swift passage of the Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act, IAM Union criticized what it described as an unlawful threat from the Trump administration regarding withholding back pay from federal employees affected by the shutdown.
The union reiterated its support for all federal and contract workers and urged lawmakers in both houses to act quickly to end the government shutdown and pass legislation ensuring that working families do not bear its financial burden.
