Pete Eschallier recently wrote a letter to the editor titled “Resources used unfairly during shutdown” (Feb. 4) and suggested that oil-and-gas-related employees were called back and were the only ones/only use. I must factually disagree.
This is not accurate. In terms of government employees that were called back, 46,000 IRS workers were called back; the USDA called back 9700, the FAA called back around 3,600, plus other call backs.
It was reported that out of 800,000 government workers that were furloughed, around 450,000 ended up being called back. Out of the 450,000, it was reported that less then 100 employees were oil and gas related. So oil/gas related was minuscule compared to the rest of the call backs.
I personally felt bad for the plight of the workers, but knowing a number of federal employees, the older, seasoned employees tell me that years ago they start saving big time for government shutdowns.
Many have $6,000-$10,000 in the bank put aside for that.
Then, when the shutdown happens, they dip into that knowing full well they will get back paid. Many hope it happens around hunting season, while others take their family on vacation.
Not all bother to do that, but they should take a long look at that, as there will likely be government shutdowns in the future, as there were under Carter, Clinton and many other presidents.
Robert Gates
Montrose
