Union members stand together as shutdown comes to an end

PRIOR TO THE JAN. 25 ANNOUNCEMENT that the White House has reached a short-term deal with congressional leaders to end the partial government shutdown, state and local union leaders met with U.S. Congressman Lacy Clay (D-St. Louis) and rallied outside his office that day (top photo) to thank him for his support of furloughed federal workers and demand an end to the shutdown that lasted 36 days and ended with President Donald Trump endorsing a measure to reopen the government through Feb. 15. Notably the deal does not include funding for Trump’s proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall, the issue that triggered the shutdown starting on December 21. 

Meeting with Congressman Clay via video conference were (right photo, seated from left) Missouri AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Jake Hummel, Missouri AFL-CIO President Mike Louis, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists-St. Louis Chapter President Jay Ozier, State Senator Karla May (D-St. Louis), A. Phillip Randolph Institute-St. Louis Chapter President Keith Robinson, and United Food & Commercial Workers Local 655 President David Cook, joined by dozens of unions members, including furloughed federal workers eager to start getting paid again.

Extending a hand to AFGE members on behalf of the Missouri AFL-CIO and Missouri’s union members (right photo) Louis (left) and Hummel (second from left) presented a donation to AFGE Local 3354’s President Wil Grant (second from left) and Jane Pryor (right) to help with a food pantry for members.  – Labor Tribune photos