Most AF civilians return to work

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Vanessa Kilmer
  • Air Force News Service
Washington (AFNS) --  (Editor's note: This story has been localized by the 23d Wing Public Affairs Office. The original story can be found here: http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/467253/most-af-civilians-to-return-to-work.aspx)

On Moody Air Force Base, Ga., all 250 civilian personnel who were furloughed due to the government shutdown have returned to work as of Oct. 7.

"We readily welcome back these essential members of our team, and are grateful to have them return to work," said Col Chad Franks, 23d Wing commander. "While the government shutdown is still ongoing, having our civilian Airmen back in the fight is vital to the operations and mission of our base."

During the furlough, military personnel on active duty and Department of Defense civilians who supported excepted activities continued working, while civilians who support non-excepted activities were placed on emergency no-notice and unpaid furlough. Wing leaders stressed that every member of Team Moody is important, regardless of their status during the furlough.

"The civilian Airmen are a part of Moody," said Wanda Todd, 23d Force Support Squadron head of civilian personnel on Moody. "Even if it's a plumber working on a home, civilians working in child care or military personnel, they are all still supporting."

In accordance with a memo Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel released Oct. 5, the Air Force recalled most of the nearly 104,000 Air Force civilian Airmen placed on emergency furlough due to government shutdown. However, a significant number are not yet be able to return.

In his memo, Hagel stated that immediately after President Barack Obama signed the Pay Our Military Act into law, he directed DOD's Acting General Counsel to determine whether he could reduce the number of civilian personnel furloughed due to the shutdown.
After consulting with attorneys from the Department of Justice and the Department of Defense, the secretary said the Pay Our Military Act does not permit a blanket recall of all civilians.

However, he said, DOD and DOJ attorneys concluded that the law does allow the DOD to eliminate furloughs for employees whose responsibilities contribute to the morale, well-being, capabilities and readiness of service members.

According to DOD guidance for implementation of the Pay Our Military Act, in addition to already excepted civilians, civilian Airmen who contribute to the morale, well-being, capabilities and readiness of service members should also be removed from furlough status. Previously furloughed employees that fall in this category will return to work beginning Monday. Upon return to work, they may only perform "excepted" duties which encompass those duties necessary for the protection of life and property, so there will continue to be ongoing impacts due to the government shutdown.

"You've heard that we are bringing back many of our civilian teammates, but a significant number of them will not return. That is not what we or OSD wanted; however, the DOJ/OMB/DOD negotiated position on the interpretation of the law does not eliminate furloughs all together and leaves many of our civilian Airmen left behind," said Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning. "Everyone's work supports our Airmen, but the mechanics of the legislation is the driving force of who comes back, not the value of the work. This is unfair and simply a disruptive situation for you and your families. From day one, our primary focus has been to rapidly get as many people back to work as soon as possible; and we will continues those efforts. We are a team, a family -- always have been. We will not be a fully-functioning organization until the last member returns."

Supervisors began notifying Air Force civilian employees Oct. 6 to return to work. The Air Force is utilizing all possible means of communication including supervisor contact, social media, Air Force Personnel Center and AF.mil.

For current government shutdown information, visit AF.mil's Government Shutdown page, the Air Force Portal and/or contract the Air Force Personnel Center Total Service Center at 800-525-0102.