'I want to go back to work': Federal workers rally at White House for end to shutdown
Source: Washington Post
Hundreds of federal workers rallied and listened to speakers at the headquarters of the AFL-CIO before they marched to an area in front of the White House. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post)
Furloughed federal employees and out-of-work contractors greeted each other Thursday with a sarcastic nickname that, on the 20th day of a partial government shutdown, captured their feeling of powerlessness: “Hello, fellow pawns.”
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Those who gathered — chanting “pay the workers; furlough Trump” as they marched to the White House — work for various federal agencies and live in different states. Some said they support Trump’s push for a new wall and increased security along the U.S-Mexico border. Others scoffed at the idea.
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With similar marches in cities around the country, like Chicago and Dallas, Thursday’s demonstration was the largest protest against the shutdown since it began. Union leaders said if the federal stalemate continued, there would be more.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/federal-workers-to-demand-end-to-government-shutdown-at-white-house-protest/2019/01/10/330d1c4e-144c-11e9-803c-4ef28312c8b9_story.html?utm_term=.11a9eba97cae
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That should be at the TOP of those nifty "how to managed your finances in a furlough" publications.
"Your pResident claims to be uber-wealthy. If you don't mind paying your bills with rubles, I'm sure he can help! After all, he can relate to your financial insecurity!"
I'm glad this is finally getting some attention on DU. Those of us who have been there, these folks are struggling to pay rent/mortgages. Seeing the few DUers deny this is happening is worse than seeing the Freepers gloating about it.
Most of America has serious misconceptions about contracting. The costs are pretty high in times like this. Lots of folks have gotten unpaid work stoppages or even let go from their companies. Much of the work for janitors, food service, security guards, IT, back office processing, supplies, and much more are done by easily disposable contractors, not employees.
It really is a feeling of powerlessness. I empathize with these workers. Maybe it's time for contractors to unionize (employees are unionized). Hang together or we all hang separately.
