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…

Furloughed workers worry about next deadline

October 16, 2013|By Kim Geiger | Tribune reporter

Workers who gathered Wednesday afternoon outside the Social Security Administration offices in the West Loop to protest the shutdown of the federal government had mixed feelings about the news of a short-term deal to reopen the government and raise the debt ceiling.

Carrying signs that said “Jobs not furloughs,” and chanting slogans like “Congress, reopen the government,” the workers said they were relieved by indications that they could be going back to work but were disappointed by the short-term nature of the deal, which would reopen the government only through Jan. 15.

“My biggest concern with the deal is that there is this Jan. 15 date in there, but right now, going back to work is better than not going back to work,” said Darren Kroenke, a furloughed employee of the Labor Department. “I have bills to pay, I have responsibilities with my family, and every day that I’m out of work creates hardship.”

Others, like Karen Cole, another Labor Department employee, hoped that President Barack Obama would reject the deal, announced by Senate leaders. Cole said she would have preferred to hold out for a long-term solution now.

“I think it’s bogus,” Cole said of the idea that lawmakers in Washington will do what’s necessary to avert another shutdown early next year. “I don’t want to be standing out here again in January.”

That skepticism was evident throughout the group of about three dozen protesters.

“What have they been doing all year?” said Rosie Carter, an employee of the Social Security Administration. “They should have come up with a plan in May. They’re not doing their job, and I think they need to be out, every one of them.”

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-10-16/news/chi-furloughed-workers-worry-about-next-deadline-20131016_1_debt-ceiling-next-deadline-shutdown