Government Shutdown

[Shikaka]

Meanwhile congress has the reverse issue of getting paid and not going to work...such sacrifice

Seems like a great time to quote yourself..

 

[Spoony90]

Neither side is gonna give in. And unfortunately, we are being used as pawns. Says a lot about how much politicians care about the people

 

[Shikaka]

 

[randoturbo33]

 

[Hissmeowra]

As tempting as it is to wish that one side gives in quickly, if they do, the winning side will see shutdowns as an effective way to push through political aims, while the losing side will want to save face even more in the next conflict. All politics aside, that's not good if you want fewer future shutdowns.

 

[randoturbo33]

So I’m curious - obviously the above is likely just rhetoric, as keeping the government shut down for several months would be a practical impossibility. But just a thought experiment, for you controllers currently working without pay, is there a point at which you’d have no choice but to stop coming to work and find another job, despite knowing that you’d eventually get a paycheck? It’s probably less likely for ATC than others, but for example I know a TSA agent who’s said quite frankly that if he missed more than two paychecks, he’d have no choice but to quit his job and go find something else or risk being evicted. And I’m sure that many of the 800,000 unpaid federal employees would find themselves in a similar boat if the shutdown started to stretch beyond a month or two.

 

[KnockKnock]

So I’m curious - obviously the above is likely just rhetoric, as keeping the government shut down for several months would be a practical impossibility. But just a thought experiment, for you controllers currently working without pay, is there a point at which you’d have no choice but to stop coming to work and find another job, despite knowing that you’d eventually get a paycheck? It’s probably less likely for ATC than others, but for example I know a TSA agent who’s said quite frankly that if he missed more than two paychecks, he’d have no choice but to quit his job and go find something else or risk being evicted. And I’m sure that many of the 800,000 unpaid federal employees would find themselves in a similar boat if the shutdown started to stretch beyond a month or two.

That's a very personal question, with a lot of factors playing into the answer. How much do you have saved? Does your spouse work? Do you have any other side income? And on, and on, and on, and on.

 

[MJ]

Quitting would be unnecessary. In most if not all states you can file for unemployment if you're furloughed.

 

[thesoonerkid]

So I’m curious - obviously the above is likely just rhetoric, as keeping the government shut down for several months would be a practical impossibility. But just a thought experiment, for you controllers currently working without pay, is there a point at which you’d have no choice but to stop coming to work and find another job, despite knowing that you’d eventually get a paycheck? It’s probably less likely for ATC than others, but for example I know a TSA agent who’s said quite frankly that if he missed more than two paychecks, he’d have no choice but to quit his job and go find something else or risk being evicted. And I’m sure that many of the 800,000 unpaid federal employees would find themselves in a similar boat if the shutdown started to stretch beyond a month or two.

Find another job doing what? It’s not like we have a PhD and we can just go work at another hospital. Yeah we’re not getting paid right now but by quitting you’d effectively be quitting a 6 figure job for a job that doesn’t pay nearly as well. I think if anything the Union and it’s members will eventually get sick of shutdowns and will push to go private should the shutdowns happen more frequently and/or get worse.

The longest shutdown has only lasted 21 days. I’m sure trump will make this the greatest shutdown the government has ever seen but even then for this to last longer than a month seems unlikely.

Quitting would be unnecessary. In most if not all states you can file for unemployment if you're furloughed.

But can you file unemployment if you’re still forced to go to work?

 

[Maintainvfr]

Find another job doing what? It’s not like we have a PhD and we can just go work at another hospital. Yeah we’re not getting paid right now but by quitting you’d effectively be quitting a 6 figure job for a job that doesn’t pay nearly as well. I think if anything the Union and it’s members will eventually get sick of shutdowns and will push to go private should the shutdowns happen more frequently and/or get worse.

The longest shutdown has only lasted 21 days. I’m sure trump will make this the greatest shutdown the government has ever seen but even then for this to last longer than a month seems unlikely.


But can you file unemployment if you’re still forced to go to work?

Make shutdowns great again!

 

[MJ]

But can you file unemployment if you’re still forced to go to work?

No, you would have to be in furlough status. It would be hard to sleep without disqualifying medications if I wasn't being paid for months.

 

[DankVectorz]

Per OPM guidance, I am unable to come to work til the government opens because I am painting foreclosed houses for my mortgage company in return for mortgage relief.

 

[randoturbo33]

Quitting would be unnecessary. In most if not all states you can file for unemployment if you're furloughed.

Would that make you ineligible for backpay when they eventually did open the government?

And at least in New York State, the maximum allowable unemployment benefit is $420 per week, or just shy of $22,000 annually. I suspect that would barely put a dent in the mortgages of NY-area controllers making more than 10 times that.

 

[MJ]

Would that make you ineligible for backpay when they eventually did open the government?

And at least in New York State, the maximum allowable unemployment benefit is $420 per week, or just shy of $22,000 annually. I suspect that would barely put a dent in the mortgages of NY-area controllers making more than 10 times that.

No, you would just have to pay back the unemployment. 1.6k/mo is better than 0. It's not a yacht, it's a life vest.

 

[Shikaka]

Either way if anyone needs it, places like Skyone and other federal banks/CU do have 0% loans for those affected by government shutdowns. Just in case someone is just now reading this thread, easy relief in the meantime.

 

[nbc1179]

I’m an academy grad waiting to report at ZID, on furlough status now - my report day was supposed to be Thursday. Nothings guaranteed, but can I expect to get backpay for these days that I wasn’t using COS for(yesterday, today, rest of shutdown)? Or will it be leave without pay? Should I apply for unemployment?

 

[Shikaka]

@nbc1179 you're a furloughed employ. Historically people on furlough have gotten backpay multiple times, admin duties. It's no guarantee, and with this Administration I wouldn't hedge on it. You might be able to elect leave for those days as well, still no guarantee. If I were you I would go for one of those 0% loans, I'm a snob for a good credit score though.

 

[MJ]

I’m an academy grad waiting to report at ZID, on furlough status now - my report day was supposed to be Thursday. Nothings guaranteed, but can I expect to get backpay for these days that I wasn’t using COS for(yesterday, today, rest of shutdown)? Or will it be leave without pay? Should I apply for unemployment?

There was no COS leave, its all furlough. I'd start the unemployment process now if you need money, it will take some time before you receive anything.

 

[OrangeYOGAMat]

My FLM just told us today that contrary to the MOU if anyone takes leave it should be annual or sick not furlough. Anyone else experienced this?

 

[Shikaka]

My FLM just told us today that contrary to the MOU if anyone takes leave it should be annual or sick not furlough. Anyone else experienced this?

You know those times where you have an itching feeling that your FLM is full of shit...this is one of those times