ASPA Supports Public Workers; Decries Government Shutdown

Washington, DC – The National Council of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) has issued a statement in support of government workers to avoid the detrimental effect of a government shutdown.

“This resolution is a statement of concern about the gridlock that has enveloped Congress and its continuous efforts to hold public sector workers hostage. Public sector workers have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to ensuring the provision of services to our citizens in these challenging times of scarce and declining resources.

“We are concerned that our elected leaders continue to disregard their contributions and jeopardize efficient government management for political wrangling,” said ASPA President-Elect Allan Rosenbaum.

“In the face of the looming shutdown and the closure of hundreds of agencies, federal workers are threatened with instability and uncertainty. Public sector morale decreases and the negative perception about government only increases,” said Rosenbaum.  “We urge elected leaders to avoid this downward spiral and display compassionate and effective leadership by ensuring the continued operations of our government.”

These concerns prompted ASPA’s 24-member National Council to issue a resolution that urges Congress to avoid a government shutdown.  The resolution reads:

The ASPA National Council, meeting in Charlotte, NC on September 29, 2013 and representing 8,500 members hereby resolves that:

Whereas it is federal government employees who ensure the safety of the food and water we drink and eat, the highways, railways and airplane trips which we make and many other aspects of everyday life in the U.S.;

Whereas most of the major technological advances of the past 75 years ranging from the Internet to the modern communications technology, from geographic information systems to the medicines that have brought AIDS and other epidemics under control are the product of federal government research and development;

We resolve that it is neither in the interest of the citizens of the U.S. and their wellbeing, nor effective and efficient government management, to utilize public employees at any level of government in political battles through the threat of counterproductive government shutdowns which have no consequence other than to endanger the health, safety and wellbeing of the American people.

 

ABOUT ASPA:

The American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) is the premiere membership association for individuals working and studying public administration. It represents more than 8,500 public and nonprofit sector professionals.  ASPA in collaboration with the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) released Memos to National Leaders, a compilation of recommendations to Congress and the President on innovative strategies to address the country’s most challenging administrative issues including the budget, workforce and intergovernmental relations. To download a free copy of Memos, click here.

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