AFGE National explains why…
The deal to end the shutdown and raise the debt ceiling is only a temporary measure.
The economic and social costs of shutting down the government for three weeks will be felt for months and possibly years.
Vital public services were compromised during the shutdown.
The shutdown was the latest injustice to hit federal workers.
Read more at: AFGE Post Shutdown Talking Points!
AFGE 1395 extends a big shout out to the participants at and supporters of our Rally held on October 16, 2013. With over 100 AFGE Local 1395 members and friends attending our action — including AFGE 7th District staff and Department of Labor employees — our government shutdown concerns got noticed by the press! Here’s an article from the Chicago Tribune that captures some sentiments…
Mourning Decline of Service to the Public
Name: Federal Social Security Employees
Where: Chicago Region
Next of Kin: Beneficiaries
Memorial Service or Funeral March: October 16, 2013, 600 W. Madison St. Chicago, Il. 60661
Federal Employees who are tireless advocates have been working without pay and respect in providing services to the public are unable to provide such services as issuing Social Security cards, Benefit Verification, replacement Medicare Cards, disability reviews scheduling hearings and other workloads. Please show your support by joining in our mourning and advocate we be allowed to do our work with pay,dignity and respect.
Edgar Mullins, of Richton Park, and Justin Jones, of Chicago Heights, became victims of the federal government shutdown on Thursday.
They lined up early in the morning in front of the Social Security Administration office in Chicago Heights.
The office was open for business but wasn’t offering new or replacement Social Security cards, the reason Mullins and Jones were there.
“I lost my Social Security card years ago when my wallet was stolen and need one to start truck driving school on Monday,” Mullins, 31, told me as we stood in front of the SSA building on Halsted Street near 197th Street.
“They told me inside that until the government returns to normal, I’m out of luck.”
