WASHINGTON, DC (OCTOBER 2, 2025) – Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) President James Slevin today released the following statement regarding the government shutdown:
“President Trump has chosen a government shutdown over working with Congress to address the mounting health care cost crisis – a crisis created by his own spending bill earlier this year, which ravaged Medicare, Medicaid, and ACA benefits. Due to his anti-worker healthcare policy choices, nearly 180 million Americans face significantly higher health care costs, or even the loss of healthcare coverage entirely. Indeed, he has stated his intention to use this moment as an excuse to fire even more federal workers and attempt to shift blame away from himself.
“Make no mistake, his administration’s effort to shatter the federal workforce and break their unions will continue regardless, the question is whether working people can hold the line against his relentless assault on the middle class.
“Through the power of collective bargaining, our members benefit from good health insurance coverage. However, President Trump’s reckless lack of leadership will spike health insurance premiums, including for UWUA members, who will also be forced to pay more as employers seek to offset these increased costs both at the bargaining table and through consumer rate hikes.
“President Trump must work with Congress to end this shutdown, stop rising health care costs, build trust in our public servants in the federal workforce, and stop harming working families.”
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Chartered in 1945, the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA), AFL-CIO represents 45,000 active members employed in America’s utility sectors including the electric, gas, water, and related professional and service industries. James Slevin is UWUA’s National President. For more information visit https://uwua.net.