The recent government shutdown has exposed a glaring inequity in how we treat our essential federal workers. It takes more than air traffic controllers to get thousand of planes safely to their destinations every day. There are thousands of essential government employees who manage critical aviation equipment and who worked tirelessly throughout the shutdown to ensure the safety of our nation's air travel.
Despite this unwavering dedication, they are now being overlooked for compensation. It's unconscionable that Congress, particularly under Mike Johnson's leadership, allowed the government to remain closed for weeks without staying in Washington to negotiate a resolution. This inaction forced many federal employees to seek second jobs just to make ends meet. Now, adding insult to injury, only a select few are being offered bonuses, creating an arbitrary and unfair system of recognition.
Airways system specialists maintain radios, VORs, radars, instrument landing systems, and landing strip lights; all vital for the functioning of our aviation infrastructure. Planes simply cannot fly without these systems operating at peak efficiency. These specialists and hundreds of thousands of other federal employees are no less essential during the shutdown than the positions now receiving bonuses.
I urge you to take immediate action to rectify this situation. Introduce or support legislation that ensures all essential workers who maintained their duties during the shutdown receive equal compensation. This should include those who were forced to take time off for second jobs to cover their expenses. The alternative is to state your firm resolution to show no favoritism among federal workers and simply ensure every federal employee receives the paychecks they missed. Vote No on any extra compensation for only a small group.
It's not just about the money - it's about acknowledging the sacrifice and dedication of all federal employees who kept our country running during this crisis. The financial hardship and disrespect endured by these employees cannot be understated. They pushed through, maintaining their commitment to public service despite the uncertainty and strain.
It's time for Congress to demonstrate the same level of commitment to them. Act now to ensure fair and equal treatment for all essential federal workers affected by the shutdown. Our nation's dedicated public servants deserve nothing less.
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