This is the 31st day of the government shutdown, which is now the longest shutdown in our nation’s history. The labor movement is not just fighting to reopen the government, but is helping federal workers who are going without paychecks.
The Central Florida AFL-CIO has set up a donation drop-off location for government employees affected by the shutdown. Requested items include non-perishable and canned food, toiletries, diapers, wipes, formula and paper goods. You can donate items Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM at Unite Here Local 362, 1255 La Quinta Drive, Suite 212, Orlando, FL 32809. If you have any questions, you can contact their Field Representative, Billy Lawson at wlawson@flaflcio.org.
I had the opportunity to talk to two TSA agents at the Orlando Airport on Saturday. They have been working without pay for a month. Like many of the TSA agents, they have families they are supporting and they need help. Although they are not allowed to accept monetary donations, they said they need gas to get to and from work. They can accept gas cards if they are donated through the manager’s office or at drop off locations. Donations of food items and gas cards can also be dropped off from 9-11 a.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the valet area on the departure level of Terminal A at the Orlando Airport.
Before the Women’s March, I attended the “Stop the Shutdown Rally” at the AFL-CIO headquarters with union members from across the country. We heard from union leaders whose members are affected by the shutdown, including leaders from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), and the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW). Representatives from other unions, including the AFT, spoke of the economic crisis that the shutdown has created for federal employees, their families and the nation.
Federal workers have now gone without pay for two pay periods. They are having to choose between buying food and buying medicine. Some are delinquent on their mortgage and loan payments. Others cannot afford to pay for daycare while they continue to work without pay. You can call your senators at this link to urge that they vote to reopen the government.
With AFT and LCLAA staff and friends at the Women's March.
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