Federal employees and contract workers are facing the possibility of a government shutdown on October 1, 2025. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has expressed concern about the impact this could have on its members, as well as other federal workers.
“The IAM strongly urges a bipartisan funding solution, negotiated in good faith between Democrats and Republicans, to prevent a shutdown. A shutdown is unjust, cruel, and devastating to working families and we will never stand by while our members are used as leverage for political gain. The IAM also strongly condemns the White House’s threat to use a shutdown as a means to justify illegally firing scores of federal workers,” said the statement from the IAM.
The union represents more than 110,000 federal workers through its affiliation with the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM). The organization highlighted that government shutdowns can be harmful, recalling that over one million federal contract workers missed pay during the 35-day government shutdown in early 2019. This included thousands of IAM members who were furloughed.
The IAM is supporting legislation known as the Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act. This bill, introduced by Senators Tina Smith, Tim Kaine, Mark Warner, Chris Van Hollen, and Angela Alsobrooks, aims to ensure contract workers receive compensation for wages lost during any future shutdowns.
In its message to members, the union provided advice on how to prepare for a potential shutdown. Workers were told to report to work unless given an official written furlough notice and encouraged to stay connected through email updates from both IAM and NFFE-IAM. The statement emphasized ongoing support: “Lean on your union. The IAM and NFFE-IAM will continue to fight for you every single day on Capitol Hill and in your workplace. You are not alone.”
The communication also included resources such as furlough guidance websites and information from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) about unemployment insurance and procedures during a shutdown.
“We will not allow reckless elected officials to gamble with the livelihoods of the men and women who keep this country running. We are stronger when we work together,” concluded the statement.
