3,500 shipyard employees furloughed

BREMERTON - The federal government shutdown is affecting 32% of the workforce at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton.

A public affairs official with the Navy confirms 3,500 civilian workers have been furloughed, until Congress makes appropriations.

Many of them showed up to work today, to make sure there would be an orderly shutdown of non-essential operations. Work on the USS Connecticut has been put on hold. Operations on the USS John C. Stennis, USS Kentucky, and USS Jimmy Carter will continue.

The president passed a measure Monday to ensure all active-duty military employees will continue to get paid.