This week, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest federal workers' union, announced its support for a Republican government funding bill. This unexpected move has intensified pressure on Democrats, drawing a line in the sand amidst ongoing negotiations. However, many prominent labor unions have expressed their continued support for the Democratic strategy, diverging from AFGE's stance. This divergence comes at a time when hundreds of thousands of federal workers are facing potential layoffs and missed paychecks.
Despite AFGE's shift, several key labor unions, traditionally aligned with the Democratic Party, are maintaining their backing for the extension of Obamacare subsidies and are gearing up to challenge President Trump, whom they perceive as an adversary of workers' rights. Jaime Contreras, the executive vice president of the 185,000-member Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ, articulated his sympathy for the struggles faced by federal workers but disagreed with AFGE’s approach. "They have to do what they have to do for their members," Contreras stated, adding, "It's a false choice to suggest we should sacrifice affordable healthcare for millions of Americans to bring federal workers back to work."
SEIU 32BJ represents approximately 2,400 federal contractors, including security officers and food-service workers, who may miss out on backpay due to the ongoing government shutdown. "These workers are bearing the brunt of this shutdown," Contreras noted, urging Democratic lawmakers to "hold the line" in negotiations.
Labor analysts suggest that the unity among major labor organizations has alleviated some pressure on Democratic lawmakers following AFGE's announcement. Nelson Lichtenstein, a labor professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, remarked that while federal unions may not be the largest players, their collective stance is significant.
President of the AFL-CIO, Liz Shuler, criticized President Trump for what she perceives as efforts to divide workers. "As federal workers miss paychecks and line up at food banks, President Trump is more focused on pitting workers against each other than ending the shutdown," Shuler told ABC News. She emphasized the urgent need to fund the government, address the healthcare crisis, and prioritize the needs of working people.
During a press conference at the White House, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy attributed the stalemate to the Democrats, asserting that while most workers might manage to skip one paycheck, no one can withstand two. "If Democrats don't get their act together very quickly, you're going to see huge problems," Duffy warned.
The National Education Association (NEA), representing nearly 3 million members, reiterated its commitment to resolving both healthcare and funding issues. United Steelworkers International President David McCall voiced his support for a resolution that prioritizes both affordable healthcare and essential government services. Other unions, including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the United Food and Commercial Workers, have echoed similar sentiments in previous statements.
John Logan, a professor of U.S. labor history at San Francisco State University, explained that the Trump administration is applying significant pressure on federal unions. "Large parts of the labor movement are calling for Democrats to resist the Trump administration and not concede," Logan stated, noting that despite visible fractures within the movement, there remains a general consensus on the shutdown's handling.
AFGE's president, Everett Kelley, made headlines by advocating for a "clean continuing resolution," aligning with Republican demands that have thus far stalled negotiations on healthcare and other issues. "Both political parties have made their point, and still there is no clear end in sight," Kelley remarked, urging for immediate action to end the government shutdown.
Notably, the Teamsters Union has sided with AFGE, with President Sean O’Brien calling for lawmakers to pass a clean continuing resolution. Speaking alongside Trump administration officials, O’Brien emphasized that working people should not be caught in the crossfire of political disputes. "Do not put working people in the middle of a problem," he stated.
In a bold move, President Trump urged Senate Republicans to eliminate the filibuster to facilitate the passage of the Republican funding bill and bring an end to the shutdown. "It is now time for the Republicans to play their 'TRUMP CARD,' and go for what is called the Nuclear Option," Trump tweeted, insisting that immediate action is necessary.
As the government shutdown entered its 30th day on Friday, indications suggest that a resolution is not imminent. Senate Democrats have rejected Republican funding proposals on multiple occasions, and the upper chamber is currently on recess until next week.
