Furloughs Begin For Indiana’s 10K Civilian Defense Workers

Unpaid furlough days have begun for more than 10,000 civilian defense workers in Indiana affected by the automatic federal budget cuts.

The furloughs began Monday under the congressional budget stalemate that brings the automatic spending cuts. The workers are facing 11 unpaid furlough days this summer.

The Indianapolis Star reports the furloughed workers are being asked to take their days off on Mondays and Fridays.

U.S. Rep. Andre Carson's spokesman, Blake Johnson, says the affected workers include the 4,000 civilians who work at the Defense Finance and Accounting Services center in Indianapolis.

Another 3,100 Navy employees and 800 Army workers at Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center in southern Indiana are also facing furloughs.