Federal employees fed up with the government shutdown are planning to brave the cold and rally in front of the Federal Building in Detroit Friday. About 2,000 Michiganders work for federal agencies, and a little more than half are working without pay. The rest are locked out of their jobs until the shutdown is resolved. Mark Coryell, president of the union that represents local employees of the EPA, tells us the families are really starting to feel the pinch.
“These are people who aren’t getting paychecks that have mortgages and car payments, child support and child care. I know people are starting to make arrangements with mortgage lenders, reaching out to their landlords. So it’s starting to hit people seriously.”
Michigan federal employees deemed essential, and thus who are working without pay, include those who work at the Transportation Safety Administration and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The rally starts at noon.
