Utah federal employees still feeling financial, emotional impacts even after government reopening
Nov 19, 2025, 8:00 PM
The U.S. Capitol is pictured from the base of the Washington Monument, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Washington. (Rahmat Gul, Associated Press)
(Rahmat Gul, Associated Press)
SALT LAKE CITY — Federal employees at the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs say they’ve finally been paid now that the government shutdown is over.
Related: Utah SNAP recipients to receive full November benefits after federal shutdown ends
Teresa Salazar is the Vice President of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2199, representing employees at the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs. She said this unfortunately doesn’t make up for all the financial struggles they now face.
“That doesn’t cover any of their late fees for mortgages, for light bills, for gas bills, for daycare. And everybody has late fees for everything.”
Salazar estimates that about three-quarters of employees were impacted during the government shutdown, either by being furloughed or having to work without pay. She said that some people had to drain their savings or dip into their retirement funds.
But beyond the financial impacts is the emotional toll it’s taking, as federal jobs used to be a sure bet, but now come with a level of anxiety and uncertainty.
“The government, as you know, has always been a very secure place to work. I’ve always felt safe. I’ve always felt secure. And right now … it just doesn’t feel like we’re home. It feels like every day you don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Salazar said that feeling has gotten even worse since an executive order stripped their collective bargaining rights in August.
The White House issued the order, claiming that ending collective bargaining for certain federal unions would ensure that agencies operate more effectively. But the U.S. House passed a bill on Monday, attempting to reverse that decision.
Related: Bipartisan bill aims to pay air traffic controllers during future shutdowns
