Local prison union speaks out about government shutdown

The letter sent to employees.
The letter sent to employees.(WCTV)
Published: Dec. 27, 2018 at 7:25 AM EST
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By: Katie Kaplan | WCTV Eyewitness News

December 27, 2018

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) -- According to the federal government, there are about 72,000 federal employees in Georgia and nearly 90,000 in Florida.

That includes people working at federal prisons. A representative from the local prison union told WCTV on Wednesday that they do not agree with the shutdown.

A memo that had been sent earlier in the day from the Federal Bureau of Prisons allegedly informed employees that they will not receive holiday pay for days already worked earlier in the week. The employees are working without any guarantee they will be paid for the work they are doing during the shutdown.

Not only will they likely not be paid on time, they may face disciplinary action if they don't show up.

"The memo said that we are expected to be at work, and if we're not at work, we will be placed in AWOL status, which is absent without leave," said Vice President of Local 1570 Kristan Morgan. "At the Bureau of Prisons, an AWOL results in disciplinary action including suspensions up to, and including, termination."

Morgan went on to say that morale is low and anxiety is high for many workers who are wondering how they are going to pay their bills if they do not get paid on time. Congress voted earlier in the week to pay federal employees retroactively, but there is no telling on when the shutdown may end.

She added that those impacted directly by the situation with their "boots on the ground" feel like they are the only ones who are really worried about it. Congress will be back in session Thursday, but there is no telling when they will vote to end the shutdown.

There are numerous federal agencies in Tallahassee, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Park Service and Air Traffic Control.