The IAFF is backing federal legislation aimed at ensuring fire fighters and other essential workers continue receiving paychecks during government shutdowns.
The bill follows a 76-day Department of Homeland Security shutdown – the longest single-agency shutdown in U.S. history – that delayed critical government functions, including SAFER and AFG grant processing. It also left members of Coast Guard Local IAFF F-298 at the Coast Guard Training Center in Petaluma, California, without paychecks for nearly 80 days as they continued protecting critical infrastructure and responding to emergencies.
In the past year, the U.S. government has experienced multiple shutdowns and funding lapses, including some of the longest in recent history. As shutdowns increasingly become a negotiating tactic for both parties in Congress, workers continue to be caught in the middle.
That’s why the IAFF has endorsed the Shutdown Fairness Act. Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), the legislation would ensure federal workers continue receiving regular paychecks throughout a government shutdown.
Fire fighters don’t get to sit out a shutdown. They show up, do a dangerous job, and protect our nation’s military bases. The Shutdown Fairness Act is about making sure fire fighters get paid for their lifesaving work. The IAFF calls on Congress to pass this bill and ensure no federal worker is ever again forced to work without pay.
General President Edward Kelly
Under current law, federal workers are guaranteed full back pay once a shutdown ends thanks to the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act. But rent, childcare, groceries, and other critical expenses continue for workers – creating significant financial strain while Congress fights over funding disputes.
The Shutdown Fairness Act would ensure federal workers are not forced to shoulder the financial burden of political funding disputes.
“Fire fighters don’t get to sit out a shutdown. They show up, do a dangerous job, and protect our nation’s military bases. The Shutdown Fairness Act is about making sure fire fighters get paid for their lifesaving work,” said General President Edward Kelly.
“The IAFF calls on Congress to pass this bill and ensure no federal worker is ever again forced to work without pay.”
The legislation has also received support from several other labor unions, including the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), National Association of Letter Carriers, and Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, among others.
A House version of the bill – led by Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), and Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) – has also been introduced.
