Politics & Government

Furloughs to End for APG Garrison Employees

More than 10,000 workers at Aberdeen Proving Ground were furloughed in response to the government shutdown.

By Jason Claffey and Elizabeth Janney

Unpaid furloughs for thousands of Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) workers are set to end Monday.

The employees were furloughed last week in response to the government shutdown.

APG announced Sunday that garrison employees should report to work on Monday, Oct. 7.

"No further information regarding tenant organizations is available at this time. Tenant Organizations should check with their respective commands," the proving ground reported.

The development came after Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Saturday ordered about 400,000 Department of Defense civilian workers—such as those at APG—back to work. Hagel said there's a legal basis that allows officials to "eliminate furloughs for employees whose responsibilities contribute to the morale, well-being, capabilities and readiness of service members."

Hagel said Congress should retroactively compensate the furloughed workers.

"Ultimately, the surest way to end these damaging and irresponsible furloughs, and to enable us to fulfill our mission as a Department, is for Congress to pass a budget and restore funds for the entire federal government," Hagel said in a statement.


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