A treat during a tricky time: Unions offer free Halloween costumes to children of federal workers

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The Atlanta-North Georgia Labor Council received a donation of 100 children's costumes — seen here Oct. 28, 2025 — to share with union members affected by the government shutdown.

Credit: Amanda Andrews / GPB News

Federal workers in Georgia missing paychecks during the government shutdown will not have to miss Halloween. This week, the unions who represent them are handing out holiday supplies, including costumes. 

Members of the American Federation of Government Employees and the Atlanta-North Georgia Labor Council gave away 100 children’s Halloween costumes. The Tuesday event was hosted at the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees local 479 headquarters near the Atlanta airport.

Recently, the Atlanta-North Georgia Labor Council has been holding food drives, supporting striking workers, and distributing Kroger gift cards. Program coordinator Marie Thompson said the organization welcomes any chance to help union members.

“So those who can't make it here, we’ll be headed to day care after that,” she said. “We'll meet them where they are. Even if that means going to their jobs. You know the others who are still working or maybe not getting paid, and things like that, we'll still pull up and drop a costume.”

Aaron Barker is president of AFGE Local 554. He said when families are living paycheck to paycheck, they appreciate the little things, too.

“I mean costumes can be anywhere from $20 to $30,” he said. “So if they're able to save that money and maybe buy food or pay rent or whatever the case may be — whatever their necessities are, they don't have to spend that and they can get these costumes.”

The Labor Council will also host a "trunk or treat" event at the IBEW headquarters from 5 to 7 p.m. this Thursday.