Amid the partial government shutdown, TSA officers at Sacramento International Airport work without pay, face financial strain and urge Congress for a resolution.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — TSA officers at Sacramento International Airport (SMF) are beginning to feel the strain of the partial government shutdown, even if travelers moving through security might not notice it.
Because Congress hasn’t reached a bipartisan agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security, many TSA employees are continuing to work without pay. Union leaders said officers in the Sacramento region are now set to miss their first full paycheck Friday as the shutdown continues.
“People are now starting to wonder how they’re going to put food on the table for their families, how they’re going to put gas in their car to come to work, how to pay their mortgage or their rent. It’s a very difficult situation for our people right now,” said James Mudrock, president of the union representing TSA workers in Northern California.
The union representing TSA workers said many employees are still recovering financially from the last shutdown. This is the third time in the last six months that TSA officers have been forced to work without pay, and they’re urging lawmakers to reach an agreement quickly to fund the agency.
Mudrock also had a message for travelers heading to the airport.
“I do ask the people, please, when you come to the airport, please understand that the difficulties our situation, our people are in right now. Be kind and be patient with them… I ask people to think about what would happen to you if you went weeks or months without a paycheck,” Murdock said.
SMF officials recommend arriving at least two hours before a flight to allow extra time for security screening. Travelers can also use the MyTSA app to check security line wait times and whether PreCheck is available.
TSA workers miss paycheck as shutdown impacts Sacramento airport
ABC10: Watch, Download, Read