On a recent Tuesday, Willie Price was up early delivering newspapers. By 6:30 a.m., she was already at her food service job at the Library of Congress, serving coffee and working the cash register. But the next day, everything changed—the government shut down.
Price, who earns about 16 cents per newspaper and $25 an hour at her job, hasn’t worked since. With the shutdown, she fears she won’t be able to pay her bills this month. “I don’t even know what to do,” said the 65-year-old. “I could lose my house. I could lose my car. I could lose everything.”
She isn’t alone. Many hourly contractors, like Price, work for the government or through third parties and won’t get paid during the shutdown. While some federal employees will receive back pay once operations resume, contractors do not have that safety net. This lack of pay can be devastating, especially for those already living paycheck to paycheck.
According to a report from the Congressional Budget Office, about 750,000 federal employees might find themselves on unpaid leave every day during a shutdown. Historically, shutdowns last around four days, but the longest one stretched for over a month in 2018. As of now, the current shutdown is expected to last well into October.
Randy Erwin, president of the National Federation of Federal Employees, highlights the significant impact of shutdowns on low-wage workers. “Many of these individuals already struggle to make ends meet,” he said. “When a shutdown occurs, it is a serious financial blow.”
Audrey Murray, a 64-year-old security officer at the Smithsonian, is also feeling the pinch. Starting October 6, her paycheck of $20.22 an hour will stop. Although she has a second job at the State Department, it may not be enough to cover her bills and provide for her family. “I’m just in limbo right now,” Murray shared.
Murray is a single mother of two teenage boys and a caregiver to her 12-year-old granddaughter. After struggling through the previous shutdown in 2018, she worked hard to pay back money borrowed from family to get by. Now, she faces another round of uncertainty, worrying about her mortgage, groceries, and basic utilities.
Manny Pasterich, president of 32BJ SEIU, noted how necessary it is to consider those affected most by government actions. “These workers often earn less than direct federal employees and don’t qualify for backpay. A shutdown upends their lives,” he said.
The emotional toll is significant. Murray mentioned seeing her coworkers stress and cry at work, fearing how they will feed their families or keep the lights on. “It’s heartbreaking,” she said.
Shutdowns affect not only the workers but also the entire economy. A prolonged closure puts pressure on local businesses as workers cut back on spending. It creates a ripple effect that touches everyone in the community.
As we reflect on this situation, it emphasizes the importance of protecting the livelihoods of those who keep essential services running. A government shutdown should prompt us to rethink how we support low-wage workers during times of crisis.
For more detailed insights on government operations, you can check out this report from the Congressional Budget Office.
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