As the Republican-led lockout of federal workers moves into week two, it's becoming clear that the stakes for working people are high -- and going higher. Independent Senator Bernie Sanders (VT) took to the floor of the U.S. Senate earlier today to expose the role played by the notorious Koch brothers [1]in prolonging this disastrous lockout. Progressive Democrats likewise sounded the alarm late last week [2]in a Capitol Hill press event where they warned that opportunists in both parties may attempt to use bedrock programs like Social Security as bargaining chips in the various negotiations between the parties aimed at resolving the lockout fiasco.

The largest union representing federal workers -- the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) -- are mobilizing their membership [3] from coast-to-coast in defense of all federal workers and taxpayers. Where possible UE members are encouraged to join one of the many protests being held around the country to demand an end to the federal worker lockout disaster. Updates on the situation may be found at the web page of Independent Senator Bernie Sanders [4].