Local federal workers union concerned about closure

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Redstone Arsenal has a workforce of more than 40,000, including more than 20,000 civilian workers. Many federal workers are being furloughed during the current government shutdown, a year that has already seen significant upheaval in the federal workforce.

Approximately half of Redstone Arsenal’s civilian workforce is represented by the American Federation of Government Employees, “AFGE Local 1858.”

AFGE Local 1858 President Abner Merriweather, an electrical engineer, worked at Redstone Arsenal for 42 years before retiring September 30. He told News 19 Tuesday the current shutdown is unlike anything he’s seen before.

“Completely in the dark, completely,” Merriweather said. “Normally, as we said, on normal leaves we are informed of the plan, what to expect and all the details. But this time we were not informed, or informed 14 to 15 days in advance, as we normally do in all our other leaves,” he said.

Federal workers have faced job cuts and buyout offers this year, leaving them wondering, “What’s next?” Merriweather said.

“They don’t know if they’re going to be laid off in the future or whatever,” he said.

Merriweather said concerns run particularly deep for longtime workers. The Trump administration has said that if the shutdown continues, it would consider significant layoffs of federal workers.

“Those who are eligible to retire were wondering, because of this shutdown, would they get due process instead of these mass layoffs that could happen? “They were very concerned about whether or not they would be able to retire, even if they had 30, 40, 50 years of federal service,” Merriweather said.

News 19 contacted the offices of North Alabama U.S. Representatives Robert Aderholt and Dale Strong to inquire about due process for retirees in the event of mass layoffs. Aderholt’s office has pledged to look into the matter. Strong’s office sent News 19 a response blaming Democrats for the shutdown, but did not address the issue of due process for retirees.

Merriweather said stability has long been a major draw of government work, making it an attractive option for generations of Huntsville families. He said the benefits of working for the federal government are clear.

“Number one, security. Good benefits. Something you look forward to raising a family. Making a living,” Merriweather said. “You know, at the time I was hired, a lot of people were trying to get hired by the government, because they knew it was a source of security.

“But now, from what I understand, they don’t feel that security anymore. It’s about the worst I’ve ever seen in terms of morale, extremely low. Then when they received notice of a possible furlough”

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