Greg Guthrie, President of National Federation of Federal
Employees Local 1627, has not been furloughed yet because
his agency, the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), is
self-supporting and has resources ‘for a period of time.’
However, he offers “an understanding ear” to fellow federal
employees during the shutdown. Some tell of asking for
family members for financial help; some talk of retirement
for a more certain income; some talk of a range of emotions
from anger to desperation; counting the hours until an
uncertain solution. Others are in businesses such as a shoe
shop who says he can only last another month before
closing. Someone said the Old Ebbitt’s business is down one-
half from a year ago.
For staunchly self-sufficient and super-planful Washington-
area government workers, asking for help and enduring
extended uncertainty is antithetical to their nature and even
excruciating while waiting. How wrong are the descriptions
of an “extended vacation.” The looming crisis ruined
Christmas and on track for Valentine’s Day.