By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
msayles@afro.com
It’s been nearly a month since the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) partially shut down after Congress failed to fund the agency in February, and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees have started missing paychecks.
Hydrick Thomas, president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) TSA Council 100, said the pay lapses are affecting every aspect of workers’ lives, including affording transportation and food to paying rent and covering childcare. Thomas said some employees’ checks from the last pay period mounted to as little as $6. Still, because TSA officers are considered “essential” employees they are required to report to work.
“The TSA is protecting life. Every flight that’s in the borders of this country, we protect. We have had no incidents since the 2001 terrorist attack in New York. No flight has gone down on our watch,” said Thomas. “Now, we’re in a situation where we’re not getting paid, and that’s a critical thing.”
The partisan dispute halting the funding for DHS centers on changes to the operations of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CPB). Democrats are calling for reforms to restrict agent conduct and enhance oversight, including banning ICE agents from wearing masks, requiring personnel to wear visible identification and mandating judicial warrants before agents enter private properties. Republicans, however, have rejected the proposals, arguing they could hinder immigration enforcement.
While the GOP-controlled House has advanced a funding bill, the Senate has been unable to pass its own version— leaving the agency’s funding in limbo.
A TSA employee at John F. Kennedy International Airport for more than two decades, Thomas joined the agency shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. As union president, he said he now spends much of his day fielding calls from workers across the country who are struggling to cope with the financial strain.
Thomas said he is especially concerned for young TSA officers who are early in their careers and trying to build financial stability, as well as households where both partners work for TSA and suddenly have no income.
“I have a young man in upstate Syracuse, and he’s been sent an eviction notice,” said Thomas. “He has two kids, and his wife is waiting for a kidney transplant. Now, he’s not getting paid.”
In some workplaces, employees have begun informally supporting one another. Thomas said he has encouraged his coworkers to bring in extra food to share during lunch breaks. He’s also reached out to nonprofit organisations that distribute produce and canned goods.
“I don’t know what to tell them,” said Thomas. “I just tell them to be patient, hopefully things will happen and we’ll get paid.”
Some workers have turned to gig work such as rideshare driving and delivery jobs, to make ends meet. But, Thomas said those options are not always realistic given TSA’s demanding schedules, which can include shifts starting as early as 3 or 4 a.m.
Airlines and travelers have also attempted to help, offering gift cards, food or tips to support TSA workers during this time. However, federal ethics rules limit what employees can accept, and TSA policy prohibits workers from receiving gifts valued at more than $20 from individuals.
“People are going to walk off this job,” said Thomas. “If they don’t get paid by next week, you’re putting them in a financial bind where they’re not just walking off— they can’t stay because they can’t even come to work.”
He believes members of Congress should face the same financial consequences as federal workers during government shutdowns.
“Shut their pay down,” said Thomas. “They’re getting paid. They go home, and they eat very well, their cars are filled with gas and their mortgages are paid. Make the people who make the laws accept the same penalties that they impose on the workforce.”
With TSA agents going without pay, airports across the country have faced staffing shortages— leading to lengthy lines and long wait times at security checkpoints. Major hubs, including Atlanta, Houston and New Orleans, are sustaining the brunt of the impact.
“Houston Airport TSA is so backed up, we’re in the parking garage,” wrote Mahri Muh-Rye in a March 9 Facebook post.
A video shared by another traveler showed hundreds of passengers waiting in snaking lines at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
“With everything going on please make it to these airports four to five hours before your flight to allow extra time for TSA screening,” wrote Wright Lenee in a March 8 Facebook post. “TSA wait times may exceed 180 minutes. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
In Baltimore, however, airport officials say operations at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport have remained largely unaffected.
“We have seen regular checkpoint operations. At this point, the current partial government shutdown has not impacted TSA security checkpoint operations here at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport,” said Jonathan Dean, spokesman for the airport. “We continue to work closely with TSA and our other federal partners to closely monitor airport conditions. We thank the federal workforce who work with us here at BWI Marshall Airport to ensure safe, secure aviation for our customers.”
Until Congress reaches a deal, TSA employees will remain unpaid, and travelers at airports nationwide may continue facing lengthy lines and delays.
