Federal Shutdown/Lockout Update: Capitol Rally; Send a Letter

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Hundreds of federal workers and their supporters turned out Friday for a rally on Capitol Hill. “FAA Aviation Safety Inspector and Local 1653 Shop Steward Dan Ronneberg spoke about the dangerous situation created by the furlough of 800 FAA workers who do the same job as him,” reports AFSCME Council 26 Executive Director Carl Goldman. “After the rally I spoke at a panel discussion on the shutdown along with Bill Fletcher of AFGE who made a good suggestion: write letters to the editor.” Goldman urges activists to “consider not just writing to major newspapers like the Washington Post,  but also to local papers like the Gazette” explaining how you are being affected by the furlough. “We had a great week of activism,” Goldman said, “but we need more of you to get involved.” Stay tuned for updates on this week’s actions. photo by Chris Garlock