Federal Government Policy and Business

Facing Renewed Threat, 20,000 Feds Are Still Suing Government Over Last Shutdown

Government Executive: As federal employees gear up for the possibility of another government shutdown, tens of thousands are still waiting for justice for the last one.

More than 20,000 individuals forced to work without pay during the 16-day shutdown in October 2013 have joined a collective action lawsuit against the government, alleging a violation of the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act. Around 1.2 million feds reported to work during the appropriations lapse, because their salaries drew from non-annually appropriated accounts or because their jobs protected life or property. Those employees were promised retroactive pay from the outset of the shutdown, but only after the government reopened.

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