ORLANDO, Fla. – Air traffic controllers and TSA agents at Orlando International Airport say they are working without pay as the government shutdown reaches 28 days.
Union members from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association handed out leaflets Tuesday at terminal entrances, urging Congress to end the shutdown.
Passenger Denise Pela Castro praised the workers: “We need to make sure that we’re safe flying. We need to make sure that they are taken care of. We need to make sure that they have a strong union. I believe in unions. I believe in this group. I’m proud of them today.”
Orlando air traffic controller and union rep Jeremy Heinbach said controllers are committed to safety despite missing paychecks and longer hours.
“We’re coming in every day. You see all the families here. We’ll keep doing our job,” Heinbach said.
He added the latest paycheck was zero and that fatigue is rising.
“If there’s not enough controllers, we’ll have to slow down traffic,” he said.
Airport officials say operations so far are steady, but delays are growing nationwide. Support efforts in Orlando include food and gift card drives to help unpaid workers.
Passengers voiced support for the workers.
Tina Gibson said, “It’s not fair people have to work and not get paid. They have bills to pay.”
Joseph Wells added, “We still need air traffic controllers being well paid for what they do.”
With no end in sight, workers and travelers urge Congress to act.
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