Hoyer Remarks at IAM Union Rally for Federal Employees at Union Station
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) joined Members of Congress, members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Union, members of the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), and union leaders at a rally in front of Union Station to stand in solidarity with federal employees in protest of the administration’s attacks on the civil service. Below is a transcript of his remarks:
"If you want to be on the team, wear the shirt! Are there any villains in this room? You know how many people walk through those doors, they walk out here, they get a bus, they take an Uber, they take a taxi, whatever they do, and they go to work for? The American people!
"Now, I heard President Bryant speaking as I was coming up here. I was so shocked that the President of IAM would be so outspoken, so tough, so forward leaning, so for working men and women in this country. The machinists are one hell of a fighting union, ladies and gentlemen. And they know what I know and you know, that we're in this together. We know we have an administration who does not want to pay people, who does not want to treat people as if they are people. We have an OMB director who says he wants everybody… to be seen as a villain. He wants to have people so distraught by their jobs that they don't want to come to work. That's the organization that says it wants to bring efficiency to the federal government. The only way to be less efficient than to make the morale of your people who work for you and do the job on the floor. Absolutely not.
“So, I want to congratulate [the] National Federation of Federal Employees, IAM… Not only are they firing over fifty thousand people. Now let me tell you something: There was a lot of studies [on] how to fire people. There was not one study done as to what that means to the American people. Not one study [was] done as to the impact of those cuts. We're not talking about just people, that's the problem. That's why we have to be fired up and ready to fight. That’s why we have to understand. Now, let me tell you what the budget was sent down from this president. Not only is it a zero raise for federal employees, he wants to cut $50 billion additional dollars from their salaries. [Rally attendee: “83,000 VA employees he wants to cut!”] Amen sister.
“So, I'm here with all of you, because we’re in solidarity, there’s a solidarity camp over there. Solidarity means a lot to working people. Because what they know is alone, they can't get the boss to do anything. But together, joined arm in arm, hand in hand, heart to heart, we can make a difference. So the federal employees who were here with all of you through the years need you now, very badly. Because the union is strong, and the union is united. And we are going to be united in fighting this on the Floor of the Congress, fighting in front of the Union Station, fighting in the streets and community halls of our districts, and we are going to win this battle for the people. God bless you, Godspeed, and keep fighting!”
