FAIRBORN -- They are finally here, the dreaded furloughs at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base begin this week.
For the next 11 weeks, 13,000 civilian employees will only work and get paid for four day weeks. That is a 20-percent decrease in pay for nearly three months.
The unpaid days are the result of sequestration as the Department t of Defense tries to bridge its massive budget shortfall.
Congressman Mike Turner calls the furlough impact "devastating" to both the families and our community. The Republican is blaming the Democrat-run Senate for not helping out.
"These should never be happening. These families who work for our national security should never have to be wondering everyday whether or not their jobs are going to be fully funded or if they're going to be paid for the work they're doing," said Turner, who adds that the House has passed two bills that would restore this funding. They are just waiting on the Senate to act.
Workers in that area are bracing for the economic hit.
"It's scary for everyone, especially them. They're losing 20 percent of their pay. But it's hurting us, too, and all the businesses downtown. You know we're going to feel it one way or another and it's just very scary," said Cheryl Abbitt who's worked at Tickets Pub downtown for 17 years.
The 11 unpaid furlough days is down from the 22 originally proposed.
For the next 11 weeks, 13,000 civilian employees will only work and get paid for four day weeks. That is a 20-percent decrease in pay for nearly three months.
The unpaid days are the result of sequestration as the Department t of Defense tries to bridge its massive budget shortfall.
Congressman Mike Turner calls the furlough impact "devastating" to both the families and our community. The Republican is blaming the Democrat-run Senate for not helping out.
"These should never be happening. These families who work for our national security should never have to be wondering everyday whether or not their jobs are going to be fully funded or if they're going to be paid for the work they're doing," said Turner, who adds that the House has passed two bills that would restore this funding. They are just waiting on the Senate to act.
Workers in that area are bracing for the economic hit.
"It's scary for everyone, especially them. They're losing 20 percent of their pay. But it's hurting us, too, and all the businesses downtown. You know we're going to feel it one way or another and it's just very scary," said Cheryl Abbitt who's worked at Tickets Pub downtown for 17 years.
The 11 unpaid furlough days is down from the 22 originally proposed.