Federal shutdown update

MAPE colleagues,

Today is the second day of a federal government shutdown, and we have more information on its impact on some of our MAPE members whose jobs are federally funded, and MAPE's work to defend those members' rights.

DDS impact

MAPE members who work at Disability Determination Services at DEED are currently the most at risk. These workers review and approve disability applications for the Social Security Administration. If they are not at work, disabled and injured Minnesotans will not receive the benefits they are entitle to under the law. Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) has refused to provide these MAPE members with protections that have been provided in every previous federal shutdown.

MMB is also unwilling to provide stop-gap funding to keep these state employees at work, despite knowing the federal government is required by law to pay back the state. Instead, MMB is simply laying people off. They are refusing to even negotiate an agreement to protect these MAPE members' health care and conditions returning to work after the shutdown. After intense pressure from MAPE and employees, MMB did agree to fund our colleagues only through Wednesday, Oct. 8. This is not enough.

More employees at risk

Other state employees in federally funded positions will also soon be at risk. Right now, Minnesota agencies and colleges are moving funds around to cover the lost funding from the federal government. This is not a permanent solution. MMB is unwilling to negotiate protections for these state workers, too.

Harm to Minnesotans

This federal government shutdown will harm Minnesotans who are waiting to have their disability claims evaluated and cause even further delays by already overworked staff who are facing layoff next week.

At the same time, the White House is now threatening to fire tens of thousands of federal workers which could also delay health care and other public services.

Actions members can take

MAPE members are tired of being treated as political pawns. We don't have to stand by while crucial federal government services come to a standstill.

• Contact Governor Tim Walz, MMB Commissioner Erin Campbelland your state legislatorsand tell them to protect Minnesota's DDS employees and commit to stop-gap funding as they have consistently done during a federal shutdown.

• Contact your U.S. senatorsand representatives and demand they end this government shutdown. State agencies are already facing budget shortfalls, and if this shutdown continues, more MAPE members' jobs will be at risk.

• If the shutdown continues, join our action next weekon Wednesday, Oct. 8 and support DDS employees being laid off and the Minnesotans with disabilities they serve.

We know this is an unsettling time and want you to know you are not alone. We are here with you fighting for accountability, defending your rights and pushing to resolve this shutdown without further harm.

In solidarity,

MAPE's Executive Team
Megan Dayton, President
Angela Halseth, Vice President
Chet Jorgenson, Treasurer
Kay Pedretti, Pro Tem Secretary
Nicole Juan, Political Council Chair
Zac Echola, Organizing Council Chair
Maureen Dunaway, Meet and Confer Speaker