As last paychecks roll in for federal workers, frustration and fear sink in
From paychecks to childcare, money and services have been brought to a grinding halt. And fewer FDA inspectors means higher prices -- which could make an impact in the grocery store. NBC's
Miguel Almaguer reports.
It’s one thing for the government shutdown to sink your family vacation to Dry Tortugas National Park. But the budget fight is shifting from annoyance to hardship as thousands of federal workers get their last paychecks until — well, nobody knows.
Federal pay cycles are a patchwork calendar. The stargazers at NASA, at least those deemed nonessential, got their last paychecks on Tuesday. The bean-counters at Treasury got them Thursday.
But one thing is clear as an estimated 800,000 furloughed workers warily watch their checking accounts: The frustration — and fear — are growing every day.
Nicholas Kamm / AFP - Getty Images
Federal workers demonstrate against the government shutdown in front of the US Capitol in Washington on Friday.
Mark Thompson, 41, works as a civilian employee at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, supervising workers in supply chain operations. He counts himself among the lucky ones — his wife has a good job as a physical therapist and he has some savings to fall back on.
Still, Thompson said he can’t help but worry about what could happen if the shutdown drags on for months, leaving him without a paycheck for long enough that he would have trouble paying the mortgage and other expenses.
“It could end tomorrow, it could end in November, nobody knows,” he said. “The stress is you don’t really know what to do – how to manage.”
Thompson was last paid on Sept. 27, and he is hoping he will receive a partial paycheck next week to cover the time he worked before the shutdown.
He also has applied for unemployment benefits. In addition, he’s considering looking for another job – but he’s worried that no one will want to hire him knowing he’ll have a job to go back to when the shutdown ends.
“Why would they invest any time or training?” he said. “Gee whiz, I don’t think even McDonald’s would.”
Furloughed federal employees can apply for unemployment benefits, but it’s complicated: If federal workers are given back pay when the dispute is resolved -- the House will consider a bill Saturday regarding retroactive pay -- in most cases federal employees will have to pay back the unemployment money.
Win Mcnamee / Getty Images
The impact of the first government shutdown in 17 years was felt across America as offices were shuttered and workers were sent home after lawmakers failed to come to a deal.
“Prices can be negotiable, but please serious offers only, I really need the money,” says the listing, which advertises about $300 worth of items.
Coleman is in something of a bind because she recently spent her savings to get her house ready for sale and hadn’t saved up for the shutdown.
“It’s not looking good,” she said. “My husband works, but I make the most money, so it’s going to be tough.”
Others are taking to Twitter with messages for the federal government:
Her husband, Kyle, works for the National Weather Service. As an employee deemed essential, he is still working, but she said that the family has no idea when his next paycheck will arrive. He was due to be paid on the 14th.
As for the bills, some companies have offered temporary discounts and suggested ways to change service to save money. In the meantime, Struckmann said that she is trying to keep from dipping into her and her husband’s retirement accounts.
And the Commerce Department, which runs the weather service, has offered a letter than the Struckmanns can send to creditors in hopes of getting a break.
Courtesy Kate Struckmann
Kyle and Kate Struckmann are pictured with their children, Molly, 10, and Teddy, 6. Kyle is a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, deemed essential but unclear on when he'll get paid next. Kate Struckmann said the family is planning inexpensive meals and looking for other ways to save.
She said she mostly blames the Republicans for the shutdown. As she watches the squabbling in Washington, she said, “Honestly, I think they’re being ridiculous.”
Katie Little of CNBC contributed to this report.
This story was originally published on Fri Oct 4, 2013 2:50 PM EDT
1968comments
The Café [Think Tank]
The only way to curb it is for all of the American Farmers across the nation to come together and start a massive take over of the industry! Hire farmers and gunman to protect American interests.
Small businesses (Mom and Pop's) should pull together and distribute the farmers products. Independents banks should fund the ventures in order to get these products out to the American people to curb this massive price hike! This our opportunity to defeat the establishment.
The American people in every community across the nation should pull together and take a good look at the condition the last 6 administrations has gotten us in and work to correct those mistakes. Elect our own officials that are empathetic, and sympathetic to our concerns.
More importantly we need to as a nation turn to GOD!
We were once the nation that fed the world, the EPA has regulated farmers out of business. AMERICANS ARE ASLEEP AT THE HELM OF THE UNASSAILABLE SHIP OF GOVERNMENT WE WERE LEFT TO ADMINISTRATE. IT HAS NOW BEING DESTROYED FROM THE INSIDE OUT; MEANWHILE, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE BEEN BEGUILED AND PACIFIED WITH FREEDOM OF RESPONSIBLITY OF THEIR ACTIONS, HEIDONISM, APATHY, LETHARGY, IGNORANCE, SINSATIONALISM, SELF DEPRICATION
The only way to curb it is for all of the American Farmers across the nation to come together and start a massive take over of the industry! Hire farmers and gunman to protect American interests.
ReplyDeleteSmall businesses (Mom and Pop's) should pull together and distribute the farmers products. Independents banks should fund the ventures in order to get these products out to the American people to curb this massive price hike! This our opportunity to defeat the establishment.
The American people in every community across the nation should pull together and take a good look at the condition the last 6 administrations has gotten us in and work to correct those mistakes. Elect our own officials that are empathetic, and sympathetic to our plight and concerns.
More importantly we need to as a nation turn to GOD!
We were once the nation that fed the world, the EPA has regulated farmers out of business. AMERICANS ARE ASLEEP AT THE HELM OF THE UNASSAILABLE SHIP OF GOVERNMENT WE WERE LEFT TO ADMINISTRATE. IT HAS NOW BEING DESTROYED FROM THE INSIDE OUT; MEANWHILE, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE BEEN BEGUILED AND PACIFIED WITH FREEDOM OF RESPONSIBLITY OF THEIR ACTIONS, HEIDONISM, APATHY, LETHARGY, IGNORANCE, SINSATIONALISM, SELF DEPRECATION, INDULGENCE ETC.