TSA Workers Face Stress and Increased Absenteeism During Government Shutdown

As the government shutdown continues into its second week, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners are feeling the effects. Working without pay, many are struggling to make ends meet and the stress of upcoming missed paychecks is leading to an uptick in sick calls, according to the union that represents them.

Sick Calls On the Rise

According to Joe Shuker, regional vice president of AFGECouncil 100, the union representing TSA workers, roughly one in five TSA officers in a region including seven mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia called in sick on Monday. The numbers remained similar on Tuesday, with many TSA officers at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport calling out sick over the weekend.

TSA’s website and app are no longer updating wait time information, leaving travelers uncertain about how long they can expect to wait in security lines.

Missed Paychecks Add to the Stress

With TSA officers scheduled to receive their first partial paycheck on October 10th, the strain of working without pay is becoming more and more evident. If the shutdown continues, the first zero paycheck is scheduled for October 24th. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average TSA screener makes $48,520 per year. Many of these workers live paycheck to paycheck, making it difficult to cover expenses such as childcare, mortgage payments, and food bills.

In response to the financial strain faced by TSA workers, Shuker arranged for a local food bank to provide meals for TSA employees at Philadelphia International Airport. “It was a godsend,” he told Forbes.

Previous Shutdowns Have Also Seen Increased Absenteeism

Like air traffic controllers, TSA officers are considered essential employees and are required to work without pay during the shutdown. While they will receive back-pay once the funding lapse ends, past shutdowns have shown that the strain of working without a timely paycheck can lead to low morale and increased absenteeism among TSA workers.

During the 2018 government shutdown, which lasted 35 days, hundreds of TSA screeners called in sick, resulting in flight delays and longer screening lines.

Travelers Left in the Dark

Not only are TSA workers feeling the effects of the shutdown, but travelers are also experiencing disruptions. Due to the lapse in funding, the MyTSA app, which provides wait time information, is not being actively managed. A similar notice can be found on the TSA website.

Shuker expects to see a higher number of TSA employees calling out sick on busier travel days, such as Sunday, Thursday, and Monday. “If you were planning a stress day, a mental health day, or an ‘F you’ day, you wouldn’t pick Tuesday because it’s the lightest day of the week and the easiest to work,” he explained.

A Costly Shutdown

The shutdown is not only impacting TSA workers and travelers, but it is also taking a