WASHINGTON – American Federation of Government Employees National President John Gage today issued the following statement in response to legislation introduced Jan. 12 that would require federal employees to take two weeks of unpaid leave during the 2012 fiscal year:
“Requiring federal employees to take two weeks of unpaid leave would have a detrimental impact on the federal services and programs that millions of American taxpayers depend on each and every day. Even though this proposed legislation would exempt employees in positions involving national security, law enforcement and public health and safety, every federal employee is vital to the effective operation of our government. Federal employees take a public oath to faithfully carry out the jobs they are hired to perform, and forcing them to take leave without pay goes against this sworn obligation.”
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