Federal Government Shut-Down: What's at Stake / Upcoming Actions
AFSCME Council 5 Members: The Fight is On!
The federal government has shut down — and millions of working people are paying the price.
“Non-essential” and “non-national security-related” work has stopped. Thousands of federal employees are furloughed or working without pay, including our AFSCME siblings in federal service and right here in Minnesota — like our members in Disability Determination Services (DDS) within the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
💚 We will fight for them — and for every worker left behind.
This Is About Our Shared Values
No matter the party — Republican, Democrat, or Independent — we will hold every politician accountable to the shared values of all working people:
- Safe communities.
- Affordable, equitable health care.
- Fully funded public services.
This shutdown didn’t happen by accident — it’s the result of corporate greed and political choices.
Why This Is Happening
Greedy corporations and billionaires, already showered with massive tax cuts, refuse to pay their fair share.
To fund those giveaways, leaders in the House, Senate, and White House have slashed:
- Medicaid by nearly $1 trillion,
- Funding for rural hospitals and clinics, and
- Programs working families depend on.
Meanwhile, the ultra-rich get new breaks for private jets, estates, and inherited wealth.
Now, working people are paying the price — and we’re fighting back.
What Working People Are Demanding
We call on Congress and the White House to:
✅ EXTEND the Affordable Care Act tax credits — to stop skyrocketing insurance premiums for millions of Americans.
✅ REPEAL the cruel cuts to Medicaid that are closing rural hospitals.
✅ STOP letting billionaires loot our country while workers foot the bill.
AFSCME IS TAKING ACTION
Our AFSCME International Union has filed a lawsuit against the Director of the Office of Management and Budget for unlawfully targeting and laying off federal workers during the shutdown.
👉 Read more here.
You can also review our ACA factsheet detailing how Minnesotans in every Congressional District will face devastating premium hikes if these credits aren’t extended.
👉 Download the factsheet.
Labor Rights Impacted
Even the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has gone dark. Nearly its entire website has been taken down — blocking workers, union organizers, and field reps from vital resources.
That means:
- Delays in hearings and elections.
- Barriers to filing Unfair Labor Practices.
- Less transparency for private-sector workers.
Need help finding NLRB resources?
Contact your AFSCME Field Representative — we’ll help you get what you need while the site is down.
If there’s an imminent threat to life, safety, or property related to an NLRA violation:
Call (202) 273-1000
Email EmergencyContact@NLRB.gov
Fax (202) 273-4483
💪 How You Can Help: GET ORGANIZED!
Billionaires and anti-union extremists are working overtime to divide and weaken us.
They’re flooding inboxes and mailboxes with lies — trying to scare workers into dropping their union membership and silence our power.
We can’t let them win.
Now is the time to stand strong, stay organized, and fight back.
Join your union siblings in taking action for the health care, workplaces, and communities we deserve.
🗓 UPCOMING ACTIONS
Labor Day of Action Door Knocks
For Council 5 Secretary & Local 221 member Louis McNutt, running in the SD29 Special Election.
October 4–5 | 1–4 PM
Sign up link
Fight Clinic Closure in North Mankato
October 3 | 4–5 PM
Sign up link
HANDS OFF Protest – Northfield
Every Friday | 4–5:30 PM
Sign up link
Rally to Save Our Clinics – Owatonna
October 14 | 4–5:30 PM
Sign up link
Duluth Right to Repair Rally
Duluth Labor Temple
October 21 | 4 PM
Council 5 members will speak!
Event link
VOTE YES – St. Paul Public Schools Levy
October 25 | 11 AM
270 Lexington Ave N, Saint Paul
Event link
💚 AFSCME: We Never Quit
We’re proud to stand with every worker — public and private, federal and local — fighting for fairness, funding, and dignity.
This shutdown is an attack on working people, but our solidarity is stronger than any shutdown.
We fight for our members. We fight for our communities. We fight for what’s right.
Together, we rise. 💪
