WARNER ROBINS — While furloughed Air Force workers were called back to work Monday, for records manager Jeanette McElhaney, it was far from a happy occasion.
“We have been called back now, but it’s still not over,” said McElhaney, treasurer of the Robins Air Force Base union Local 987. “We’re not sure what’s going to be happening.”
By Monday evening, the number of workers who returned was not available, but those who have returned will get paid when a budget or continuing resolution has been approved, according to Robins spokesman David Donato. About 4,000 civilian workers were furloughed.
“Most Robins employees who were furloughed have returned or are in the process of returning to work,” he said in a statement. “Base officials are still determining the exact number of workers involved.”
Even though they are back to work, uncertainty lingers for employees. The local union is staging a rally Thursday at the Warner Robins office of U.S. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., in an effort to both educate workers about their rights and show government officials that employees are fed up, McElhaney said.
“It’s very discouraging, and it’s stressful,” she said about the government shutdown. “We have been loyal to the government, but Congress is not getting their act together.”
Workers are being recalled due to the Department of Defense’s interpretation of the new Pay Our Military Act, which makes sure military members will not have their pay delayed. It also includes language that prevents civilians who provide military support from being furloughed, according to reports.
via Most Robins employees back to work, uncertainty lingers | Military | Macon.com.
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