Fund the Government, Fix the Health Care Crisis, Stop the Shutdown

PHOENIX – Federal employees, union leaders, and lawmakers gathered at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Tuesday to demand an end to the Trump Shutdown, now in its fourth week. The rally put the focus on three demands: Fund the government, fix the health care crisis, and stop the shutdown. An estimated 34,460 federal employees across Arizona have been furloughed or are working without pay since the shutdown began on October 1; nationwide, the number exceeds 750,000.

The event featured remarks from U.S. Representatives Greg Stanton and Yassamin Ansari, and leaders from the Ariz. Speakers emphasized the urgent need to fund government services and protect health care coverage for working families.

Fred Yamashita, Secretary-Treasurer and Executive Director of the Arizona AFL-CIO, opened the rally by condemning the shutdown as “reckless” and politically motivated. “We are gathered here at Sky Harbor—one of the busiest airports in the country—standing shoulder to shoulder with the thousands of federal workers across Arizona who are caught in the crossfire of this reckless government shutdown,” he said. “Once again, President Trump and his allies have chosen chaos and suffering over solutions. They’ve shut down the government rather than address the growing health care crisis facing our country.”

Yamashita noted the shutdown’s double hit: lost pay and rising health costs. “While these families are missing paychecks, Trump’s plan to raise health insurance premiums is about to make it even harder for Arizonans to afford care—just before open enrollment begins on November 1,” he said. “It’s time to end the shutdown, restore paychecks, and protect the health care coverage millions of Americans depend on.”

Omar Algeciras, Vice President of AFGE Local 2391, described the toll on workers and families. “Arizona’s federal workforce keeps this state running,” Algeciras said. “We protect airports, inspect mines, investigate wage theft, enforce safety standards, support veterans, and care for the most vulnerable. When Washington fails to fund us, this is not about missed paychecks. It is about broken trust. It is about families forced to make impossible choices while being told to ‘be patient.’ There is nothing patient about hunger or overdue bills.”

“Every missed paycheck hurts,” he continued. “Workers are forced to choose between rent or gas. Families delay medical visits. Bills pile up. Grocery stores and local shops lose business. That is not policy. That is real pain in Tucson, Phoenix, Yuma, and across tribal lands. Real people are victims of this.”

He added: “Federal employees are told to serve with loyalty and integrity, but loyalty does not pay rent... When the government shuts down, that promise is broken.”

Juan Casarez, President of AFGE TSA Local 1250, warned that unpaid Transportation Security Officers are under growing financial pressure: “Officers are exhausted and anxious. They’re doing critical work with no idea when they’ll get paid.”

Aliyah Levin, President of AFGE Local 2391, said, “Federal employees are the backbone of every community and workplace. We inspect workplaces, protect wages, ensure veterans get support, and keep essential programs running. When Congress plays politics with our jobs, it’s the people who pay the price. We need a government that respects work and funds the services Americans rely on.”

Rep. Stanton and Rep. Ansari pledged to keep pressure on Congress. “These workers keep our airports safe, our veterans cared for, and our borders secure. They deserve paychecks, not political games,” Stanton said.

In closing, Fred Yamashita thanked speakers and reaffirmed the AFL-CIO’s help for affected workers. “These workers didn’t cause this shutdown, but they are the ones paying the price,” he said. “Parents are worrying about groceries, rent, and gas money—while still showing up to protect and serve the public. That’s not right.” Yamashita announced that the Arizona AFL-CIO is collecting donations to provide grocery and essentials gift cards for affected federal workers. “Every dollar goes directly to Arizona’s federal workers who are missing paychecks through no fault of their own,” he said.

Tuesday’s rally was one of several nationwide as federal workers and unions increased pressure on Congress and the White House to fund the government, fix the health care crisis, and stop the shutdown.

Actions announced

• AFGE Local 2391, the Arizona AFL-CIO, and the Pima Area Labor Federation launched a food-bank initiative to supply groceries, diapers, and essential items to affected federal workers and their families.
• The Arizona AFL-CIO is collecting donations, which will be converted into gift cards for workers and their households.
  • By check: payable to Arizona AFL-CIO, memo “Federal Worker Aid - Government Shutdown”. Mail to 3117 N. 16th St., STE 200, Phoenix, AZ 85016.

By PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=BHQPL538A7K3E