AFGE Union Calls on Democrats to End Shutdown

In what Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) has reportedly called a possible game-changer, the American Federation of Government Employees union is demanding that Democrats end the government shutdown. Reporter Burgess Everett, Congressional Bureau Chief for Semafor,  posted “Sen. Durbin, No. 2 Democrat, says AFGE calling for end to shutdown ‘has a lot of impact.'”

According to Burgess, Durbin went on to say:

“It’s something we will be discussing this week. I’m not announcing any change in my position at this time. They’re our friends. We take them seriously.’ Says he’d support bills to pay SNAP and air traffic controllers.”

The AFGE, the largest union in the country representing federal employees, has joined Republicans in calling on Democrats to vote for a clean continuing resolution (CR).

Everett Kelley, AFGE’s national president, wrote:

“Today I’m making mine: it’s time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today. No half measures, and no gamesmanship. Put every single federal worker back on the job with full back pay — today.”

The unions, with their massive political war chests, cannot be ignored by Democratic members. This is the largest government employee union and represents an overwhelmingly Democratic base of union members. It is also ominous for Democrats with many federal workers going to the polls this week in the closer-than-expected elections in Virginia.