• March 28th, 2023
  • Tuesday, 08:18:05 AM

Workers, Prison Safety Compromised in Shutdown


Photo: CIP Americas September 26th marked three years since the search began for the 43 students disappeared in Iguala, Guerrero.

by Trimmel Gomes

 

As federal employees go into their second pay period without a paycheck, desperation to make ends meet could pose serious risks for workers in the federal prison system.
With no end in sight for the shutdown, workers, including those who commute from out-of-state for jobs at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tallahassee, are worried.
Ray Coleman, a corrections officer at the prison and president of the American Federation of Government Employees’ union local, says some people serving time will use anything to their advantage, including overly stressed employees.
“They’ll test you,” he states. “They’ll definitely try to see what they can get away with, see what they can get over on, see if they can compromise a staff member, because they know you aren’t getting paid. And when that happens, you know, then you have a problem. ”
Hundreds of thousands of workers are stranded without pay as President Donald Trump demands funding for his long-promised wall along the U.S. border with México.
The Florida AFL-CIO and other labor groups are organizing a series of rallies and events around the state, urging the president and Congress to reopen the government.
Coleman says although they aren’t getting paid, he and many others are still required to be at work or risk disciplinary actions.
He’s especially concerned about colleagues who drive to Tallahassee from Alabama, who might not be able to pay for gas.
Coleman warns if the shutdown continues, pretty soon workers will stop showing up, and look for jobs elsewhere.
“A federal worker probably can make it, you know two to three months at max, if that, before they are probably going to throw in the towel, you know,” he states. “And that’s on the bright side.”
The Florida AFL-CIO estimates there are between 10,000 and 30,000 federal workers statewide who have not been paid, including TSA agents at airports.

 

Public News Service – FL

 

For More Florida News: ELSEMANARIOFLORIDA.COM

 

 

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SUPPORT INDEPENDENT MEDIA

We are all facing our nation’s most challenging moments in history in maintaining our democracy
and freedoms for all people.

Independent media has been under attack in a concerted effort to dismantle free speech and our rights under the U.S. Constitution. Optimism and activism are key factors in moving forward to sustain our freedom of the press.
As an independent media outlet for over 33 years, The Weekly Issue / El Semanario has maintained integrity in educating our readers and engaging our communities in the pursuit of civic responsibility to maintain our American democracy and create economic restoration for all people.

We appreciate your contributions so that we may continue our efforts in offering news content with honesty and integrity and pushing the founding values of our nation.