NFFE President Erwin Arrested Alongside Federal Labor Leaders and Furloughed Federal Employees Following ‘Occupy Hart’ Protest

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Brittany Holder

Phone: 202-216-4424

Washington, D.C. – Today, NFFE President Randy Erwin was arrested by U.S. Capitol Police after refusing to leave the office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, demanding a meeting to end the shutdown. President Erwin was arrested with AFGE President J. David Cox, IFPTE President Paul Shear, and several federal employees. The arrests came after a protest in the Senate Hart Building earlier in the day where hundreds of federal employees joined labor leaders and other supporters of federal employees and families.

“They are playing games with people’s lives and it has to end,” stated Erwin during the Hart building protest. “McConnell needs to call a vote on a bill that can pass, and he needs to stop trying to protect the president from his own failed policies.”

The Senate will take up two bills Thursday, each with the potential to reopen the government however neither bill is expected to pass. Erwin and other federal labor leaders demonstrated to urge McConnell to bring the House passed bill for a vote. The House bill mirrors a funding bill passed by McConnell and the Senate last year, which would fund the government for the rest of the year except for the Department of Homeland Security.
 
“It is an honor to be arrested if that is what it takes to get the government open and paychecks to working families,” Erwin continued. “The damage done to American working families is unforgivable. It’s sad that it has come to this.”

President Erwin was processed and released several hours later from U.S Capitol Police headquarters, arriving outside of the building to the cheers of waiting furloughed federal employees.
 
 

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