Is Forcing non-Essential Federal Workers to Work Without Pay Slavery?

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   My Esotericposted 5 years ago

   By definition, slavery is forcing people to work without pay.  More and more the Trump administration is trying to lessen the impact of his shutdown on Americans by forcing non-essential workers to work for free (at least until they get paid back).  Sparking this forum was the State Department's decision to force 100% of its workers back on the job. 
   
   I wonder how many had found temporary employment to get by and now must either quit their only source of income or their civil servant career?
   
   What do you think?  Is it a form of slavery, or at least indentured servitude?

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      Credence2posted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I don't know M.E., if the military were affected in the same way, would they make the troops stand down over a budget fracas? In the military, I took an oath. I do not necessary like the current impasse and how it is not getting resolved, but the show has to go on. The Republicans are not right about much, but circumstances like this are part of the risk of being a civil servant. Fortunately, during my tenure of service the shutdown scenario had never reached the point where we are now.
      
      But, we all may find that we are going have to change things for the future if these showdowns become more common.

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         My Esotericposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         I am not sure why the Coast Guard isn't getting paid, I thought there was an exception for military - guess I am wrong.  I have been through many shutdowns as a civil servant, including the second longest one.  Congress always paid us.
         
         Never, however, has the workforce been so devastated as this one is because, as I mentioned above, they are between a rock and hard place.
         
         If they draw unemployment, they will have to pay it back. But at least it will help for the time being
         
         If they find other work they may be fired, depending on their gov't job. 
         
         If they are allowed to work a second job, they may be called in and forced to work without immediate pay.  If they continue to work to put food on their table - they could be fired.
         
         Even though many banks, businesses, etc are helping out, we all know how hard it is to dig yourself out of debt once you get into it.
         
         And all of this for what? Because a couple of conservative talking heads convinced Trump to break his promise to fund the government.

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            MizBejabbersposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            ME, I caught an explanation of why the Coast Guard wasn't getting paid. They do not receive their pay from the Department of Defense like the army, navy, marines, air force, etc. They are technically part of Homeland Security except when they are supplementing Navy and Marine forces, as they have in nearly every major conflict since WWI. I recall the story saying that they are paid from "administrative services." Which administrative services, I don't know.
            I had two family members who were Coast Guard, an uncle and a brother-in-law. My uncle served in the Pacific during WWII, so I had no idea they weren't regular military.

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               My Esotericposted 5 years agoin reply to this

               Ahh, that is right, I forgot. They use to be paid by the Dept of Transportation now that you reminded me.

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   peeplesposted 5 years ago

   I hate using the term slavery so loosely, but yes, for now it amounts to slavery in my opinion. Forcing people to work without pay by threats (in this case firing if they don't come in) is pretty much slavery.
   And may I just add, if they are non essential enough to not pay, why do they need them back so much? Maybe they shouldn't have been considered non-essential to begin with.

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   paradigmsearchposted 5 years ago

   Actually, it should be "delayed pay" as opposed to "without pay". I've seen a very few media reports mentioning that. Interesting how most of them don't. Yep, apparently all federal workers will get back pay for the time that the government was shut down; and that's whether they worked during the time or not.
   
   Edit. I see that My Esoteric  mentioned the back pay. An honest post.

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      My Esotericposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I generally watch/listen to CNN and they always caveat their stories with the fact that gov't workers will get back pay.
      
      It was always true for those designated has essential such as law enforcement, etc.  I think Trump signed an EO saying the non-essential workers will also get paid, but I am not sure that is enough.  Congress must pass a law to that effect - and they will.

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