WASHINGTON (RTW) — Jessica Sweet, a Social Security claims specialist, faced immense challenges during the federal government shutdown, which forced her to cut back on essentials to make ends meet. Sweet, along with hundreds of thousands of federal workers, is relieved as the longest shutdown in U.S. history comes to an end but feels that their sacrifices are a result of political maneuvering in Washington.
It’s very frustrating to go through something like this, said Sweet, a union steward from New York. It shakes the foundation of trust that we all place in our agencies and in the federal government to do the right thing.
The shutdown began on October 1 after disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over funding, particularly concerning extensions for health insurance subsidies that affected millions. The conflict sparked wide-ranging repercussions, with 670,000 federal employees furloughed and about 730,000 working without pay during the shutdown.
Federal workers became pawns in the political struggle, used as leverage by the administration to push for concessions on healthcare demands. Frustration among workers peaked as President Trump’s administration signaled that unpaid workers might not receive back pay, exacerbating the situation and leading to widespread discontent.
As a result of the bipartisan deal reached, furloughed workers will receive back pay, marking a critical turnaround for many who found themselves in dire financial situations, like Elizabeth McPeak, an IRS employee from Pittsburgh. A month without pay is a long time to go, said McPeak, whose colleagues relied on food banks and struggled to pay rent.
Despite the end of the shutdown, many federal workers expressed lingering uncertainty and fear that such measures might occur again. Adam Pelletier, a furloughed field examiner, said the agreement felt dismissive, akin to a bait-and-switch. He voiced concerns that federal employees were left with little control over their fate, emphasizing a shared sentiment that safety and stability within their jobs have been severely compromised.
As they return to work, federal employees are confronted not only with practical challenges but also with deep emotional scars from the experience, raising questions about trust in the governmental process moving forward.
It’s very frustrating to go through something like this, said Sweet, a union steward from New York. It shakes the foundation of trust that we all place in our agencies and in the federal government to do the right thing.
The shutdown began on October 1 after disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over funding, particularly concerning extensions for health insurance subsidies that affected millions. The conflict sparked wide-ranging repercussions, with 670,000 federal employees furloughed and about 730,000 working without pay during the shutdown.
Federal workers became pawns in the political struggle, used as leverage by the administration to push for concessions on healthcare demands. Frustration among workers peaked as President Trump’s administration signaled that unpaid workers might not receive back pay, exacerbating the situation and leading to widespread discontent.
As a result of the bipartisan deal reached, furloughed workers will receive back pay, marking a critical turnaround for many who found themselves in dire financial situations, like Elizabeth McPeak, an IRS employee from Pittsburgh. A month without pay is a long time to go, said McPeak, whose colleagues relied on food banks and struggled to pay rent.
Despite the end of the shutdown, many federal workers expressed lingering uncertainty and fear that such measures might occur again. Adam Pelletier, a furloughed field examiner, said the agreement felt dismissive, akin to a bait-and-switch. He voiced concerns that federal employees were left with little control over their fate, emphasizing a shared sentiment that safety and stability within their jobs have been severely compromised.
As they return to work, federal employees are confronted not only with practical challenges but also with deep emotional scars from the experience, raising questions about trust in the governmental process moving forward.
