Government employees, particularly International Revenue Service (IRS) workers in Ogden, Utah, are expressing concern and anxiety as the possibility of a government shutdown looms. The last shutdown in 2019 lasted 35 days, causing financial hardship for many employees. The IRS is one of the largest employers in Weber County, and employees are worried about going an extended period of time without income, especially since many of them are recent hires earning a low hourly rate. Despite their concerns, these employees are hopeful that creditors will be understanding and patient if another shutdown occurs.
Robert Lawrence, the Local Chapter President of the National Treasury Employees Union, highlighted the uncertainty and fear among IRS employees. He emphasized that these workers don’t earn a large salary, making it difficult for them to save money or endure an extended shutdown. The government has consolidated its IRS locations since the last shutdown and has hired thousands of new employees, many of whom are earning low wages. Lawrence acknowledged that employees can communicate with their creditors and explain the situation, citing the reasonable response creditors had during the 2019 shutdown.
With the possibility of a government shutdown, government employees, particularly IRS workers in Ogden, Utah, are worried about the financial hardships they might face. Many of these workers, who earn a low hourly rate, don’t have substantial savings and can’t afford to go an extended period without income. Despite their concerns, they hope that creditors will be understanding and patient. Robert Lawrence, the Local Chapter President of the National Treasury Employees Union, emphasized the anxiety and uncertainty among the workers and their need for support. Lawrence also mentioned that since the last shutdown, the government has hired thousands of new employees, many of whom are earning low wages and might struggle to weather another shutdown. However, he remains hopeful that creditors will show compassion, as they did during the 2019 shutdown.