Warns Of 'Chaos' If Workers Are Allowed To Just Stay Home

A federal judge has denied a temporary restraining order that would have allowed government workers to refuse to work unpaid shifts during the partial government shutdown.

MSN reports that U.S. District Judge Richard Leon said that such a restraining order could result in "chaos" and put public safety in jeopardy as it is not known how many employees would report for unpaid work if they were given the option of staying home.

The ruling was the result of a combination of three lawsuits brought by federal workers including NATCA, the union representing air traffic controllers. The suits held that requiring government workers to continue on the job without pay violated the 13th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery. They also asked the judge to issue an order protecting them from retaliation for staying home, and give them the opportunity to find other work to fill the gaps while the partial shutdown drags on.

While Judge Leon was sympathetic with the plaintiffs, he said he had to take the interests of the general public into consideration as well. He also said that the judiciary branch has its own problems due to the shutdown, and the judiciary should not be "another source of leverage."

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report