Union Leaders Urge Congress to End Government Shutdown
The leaders of New York City’s major labor unions appealed to Congress on Monday, urging them to support a Republican-sponsored bill aimed at ending the ongoing 27-day government shutdown.
Robert J. Bartels Jr., business manager for Steamfitters Local 638, stated, “On behalf of thousands of hardworking individuals and retirees in New York City and Long Island, we call on political leaders to pass a clean continuing resolution, so the American public doesn’t have to suffer due to Washington’s inaction.”
He emphasized the need for both parties to resume functioning effectively for the benefit of working-class citizens.
Steamfitters Local 638 represents around 10,000 active and retired members across the region. The union has also shown support for Trump in the upcoming 2024 election.
Bartels noted, “Government shutdowns shouldn’t be an expected consequence of negotiations in Washington, D.C.” He expressed concern that both parties are playing a blame game while regular Americans are facing hardships.
The House had previously passed a stopgap funding bill, known as the Clean Continuation Resolution, to maintain government funding at current levels until November 21. However, this measure has been rejected multiple times by Senate Democrats since the shutdown began on October 1.
Democratic leaders are demanding healthcare concessions from Republicans before they agree to reopen the government, but GOP leaders, including Trump, have resisted these negotiations.
White House Press Secretary Taylor Rogers remarked on the situation, stating, “The consequences of the Democratic shutdown are affecting our vital industries and causing unnecessary distress for American families. The message is clear: Democrats need to pass a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government.”
The largest union for federal employees also recently called for senators to pass a straightforward continuance resolution, particularly after 1.4 million federal workers missed their first complete paycheck last week.
Everett Kelly, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, commented, “Both sides are making their arguments, but there seems to be no clear resolution in sight. It’s crucial to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today—there can be no half-measures or politics at play here.”
No response was received from a spokesperson for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer regarding the matter.
