"Federal Worker's Guide to Shutdown DC" Released

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

With dozens of capitol-area museums and monuments preparing to close their doors Tuesday if Congress fails to approve a new budget, federal workers – who will be involuntarily furloughed during a government shutdown – have issued a guide to area attractions for visiting tourists and area residents. The “Federal Worker’s Guide to Shutdown DC” – color-coded in the online version -- lists whether major attractions are open (green) or closed (red), and provides addresses and the nearest Metro stops.

“All we want to do is work and serve our fellow citizens,” says AFSCME Council 26 Executive Director Carl Goldman. “We manage rural housing programs for those of modest means, protect workers’ safety and health, ensure fair wages, work in the justice system, give tours, clean Congressional offices and help run volunteer programs.” Council 26 members work at the Library of Congress, the US DOJ, Dep’t of Agriculture, FAA, Architect of the Capitol, Capitol Visitors Center, Voice of America, Corporation for National & Community Services and the Peace Corps. 

“We are parents and grandparents and sons and daughters,” added AFGE 12 President Alex Bastani. “We are soccer coaches, members of the PTA and are active in our places of worship. Every day we come to work to do our jobs for the country.” AFGE 12 members work at the US Department of Labor.

Union members will distribute copies of the “Federal Worker’s Guide to Shutdown DC” at 10am on Wednesday, October 2 in front of the Museum of Natural History (10th street and constitution Ave, NW), one of the Smithsonian’s top attractions (which will close if there’s a shutdown). The Guide is also available online, where it will be updated as new information is available.