AFGE Urges Clean CR to End Shutdown and Back Pay

WASHINGTON — The American Federation of Government Employees, the largest union representing federal workers, urged Congress on Monday to pass a short-term, no-strings funding measure to end the nearly monthlong federal government shutdown and return all employees to work with full back pay. In a statement, union president Everett Kelley called for a "clean continuing resolution" and said both parties had "made their point" without producing an end to the shutdown.

Kelley asked lawmakers to pass a stopgap funding bill "today" and to avoid "half measures" or "gamesmanship." The union, which represents about 820,000 federal and District of Columbia employees, said the immediate priority should be reopening the government and ensuring back pay for those who have been furloughed and for those required to work without pay.

The call aligns with Republican demands for a funding bill without the health care provisions Democrats have sought. Senate Democrats have said they will not vote to reopen the government without a commitment to extend Affordable Care Act premium subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year. They contend that without those subsidies, premiums would rise...