Talked to a federal judge friend of mine

[Iwillnevergiveup]

near Los Angeles today, and my head is still spinning. Ted hears disability cases, and their office staff is down from around 40 to 6 judges, 1 receptionist and 1 IT person.

He had blocked off a week's vacation beginning October 12th 3-1/2 months ago, so, of course, didn't schedule any hearings. He was told if he took this vacation, he would be furloughed. He asked what was the point of coming in and doing nothing for 5 days considering that the cases he has heard since the shutdown are going nowhere since all the writers and clerks are gone. No satisfactory answer came. In fact, he might be referred to the Merit Protection Board which handles disciplinary matters.

Ted had an annual physical scheduled at 2:30 this past week. He was told he either had to work until 6:00 or be furloughed for that.

He's taking his vacation even though he realizes he's taking his chances. All employees will receive 60% of their salaries this coming Friday, and then nothing. Ted said he saw a homeless man in court this past week who qualifies for disability. Normally, the decision would come within one week, but now it's uncertain.

Ted is one year away from retirement....wish he could get out NOW.

[pipoman]

1. Chief judges, department managers, etc

remain on the job through these IIRC..

[Iwillnevergiveup]

2. With no pay.

And a backlog of unfinished cases.

[pipoman]

3. They ultimately will be paid..

if my boss came and said he needed me to hang through a crisis, without pay for a month and would make it up when the crisis was over..I may not like it, but I would hang in there for them as long as I believed they would be able to pay me later..

I doubt there are many (any) chief judges at the federal level who don't have the resources to hang in for a month or two if needed..