HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Redstone Arsenal has a workforce of more than 40,000 people, including more than 20,000 civilian workers. Plenty of those federal workers are furloughed during the current government shutdown in a year that has already seen significant upheaval in the federal workforce.
About half of that civilian workforce at Redstone Arsenal is represented by the American Federation of Government Employees, “AFGE Local 1858.”
AFGE Local 1858 President Abner Merriweather, an electrical engineer, worked on Redstone Arsenal for 42 years before his retirement on Sept 30. He told News 19 on Tuesday that the current shutdown is unlike anything he’s seen before.
“Completely in the dark, completely,” Merriweather said. “Normally, like we said, on the normal furloughs, we are briefed on the plan, what to expect and all the details. But this time we were not briefed, not given 14-15 days advance notice, like we normally do in all our other furloughs,” he said.
Federal workers have faced job cuts and buyout offers this year, leaving them wondering, ‘What’s next?’ Merriweather said.
“They don’t know if they’re going to be laid off in the future, or whatnot,” he said.
Merriweather said the concerns run especially deep for long-time workers. The Trump Administration has said that if the shutdown drags on, it would look at significant layoffs for federal workers.
“Those who are eligible for retirement were asking because of this shutdown, will they be given due process instead of this mass firing that has been alleged may happen? “They were very concerned about whether or not they will be able to retire, even though they’ve got 30-40-50 years of federal service,” Merriweather said.
News 19 reached out to the offices of North Alabama U.S. Reps. Robert Aderholt and Dale Strong, asking about due process for retirees if there are widespread layoffs. Aderholt’s office pledged to look into the issue. Strong’s office sent News 19 a reply blaming Democrats for the shutdown, but did not address the retiree due process question.
Merriweather said stability has long been a major draw of government work, making it an attractive option for generations of Huntsville families. He said the advantages of working for the federal government were clear.
“Number one, security. Good benefits. Something you looked forward to in raising a family. Making a living,” Merriweather said. “You know, back in the day when I first was hired, a lot of people were trying to get hired by the government, because they know that was a source of security.
“But now, from my understanding, they don’t feel that security anymore. This is about the worst I’ve ever seen as far as morale, extremely low. Then when they received the notice of maybe there’s a furlough”
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