The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest union representing over 800,000 federal and Washington D.C. government workers, has issued a stern call for Congress to terminate the ongoing government shutdown now entering its fourth week. The union criticized the prolonged inactivity as an "avoidable crisis" that severely impacts American workers and their families.

In a sharply worded statement released Monday, AFGE President Everett Kelley condemned both political parties for the deadlock. "Both political parties have made their point, and still there is no clear end in sight," Kelley stated. He urged for the passage of a clean continuing resolution to bring an immediate halt to the shutdown, dismissing any "half measures" or political "gamesmanship."

The impact on federal employees is dire, with many facing unpaid work and layoffs. Kelley highlighted the grim realities for these workers, who after missing their second paycheck, are compelled to turn to food banks for sustenance. "When the folks who serve this country are standing in line for food banks, they aren’t looking for partisan spin," he remarked. "They’re looking for the wages they earned. The fact that they’re being cheated out of it is a national disgrace."

Despite guarantees of back pay once the government reopens, the Senate last week turned down a proposal that would have ensured pay for active-duty military members and some federal workers during the shutdown. On the other hand, Democrats have supported a plan to pay all federal workers during the shutdown and prevent the Trump administration from executing any firings during this period.

Kelley emphasized the ethical and practical implications of forcing workers to labor without compensation, labeling it as "unacceptable." He concluded by calling on national leaders to shift their focus from assigning blame to finding solutions. "It’s time for our leaders to start focusing on how to solve problems for the American people, rather than on who is going to get the blame for a shutdown that Americans dislike," he said.

As the shutdown drags on, the pressure continues to mount on Congress to find a resolution that supports the nation's federal workforce amidst growing financial uncertainty and public discontent.