Austin, Texas – As the partial government shutdown enters day 19, federal workers around the country are facing the reality of missed paychecks and the impact that will have on their lives. More than 50,000 Transportation Security – including those at Austin-Bergstrom right here in Austin, Texas – have been going to work every day without being paid for that work.

Jamal, a member of AFGE Local 1048 which represents members at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, is wondering where he will find money to get a new Apartment after his landlord told him to vacate for failing to pay full rent. He does not have anybody to borrow from, has applied for the unemployment benefits to temporarily help him and his family, but news reaching AFGE 1048 is that our members may not get approved for these benefits as they are considered still employed. I can categorically tell you that over 90 percent of my members have not paid their rent, and these landlords in Austin have rejected the furlough letter that was issued to our members said Henry Nnorom local president of AFGE 1048.

“Every day I’m getting calls from my members about their extreme financial hardships and need for a paycheck. Some of them have already quit and many are considering quitting the federal workforce because of this shutdown,” said AFGE TSA Council President Hydrick Thomas. “The loss of officers, while we’re already shorthanded, will create a massive security risk for American travelers since we don’t have enough trainees in the pipeline or the ability to process new hires. Our TSOs already do an amazing job without the proper staffing levels, but if this keeps up there are problems that will arise – least of which would be increased wait times for travelers.”

“Nobody whom works a full-time job should live in poverty, or work and not get paid. This is America not some backward third world nation. In America we take Joy In peoples Progress and prosperity it is the very Tenet of the American dream. We do not tear down each other, I reckon even at the height of the civil rights struggles even the rouge actors understood our core values., AFGE 1048 ask both parties to reopen the government end this shutdown,” said Henry Nnorom, president of AFGE Local 1048.

“It is completely unacceptable that the women and men who risk their lives safeguarding our airports are still required to report for work without knowing when they’ll be paid again,” said American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. “TSA Officers already have the least amount of rights of any federal officer, some of the lowest pay and highest attrition rates in government, and among the lowest morale of any federal agency. Working for weeks on end without being compensated – while already being short-staffed – only makes their situation worse.”

“The federal government should be a model employer for this country, but right now they’re failing,” Thomas added. “I just hope our elected leaders stop using federal workers and the valuable services we provide as pawns in their political games. Our work is too important and the risks are too great, and any fallout resulting from it would leave our elected officials entirely to blame.”

“For the last 18 years our TSA Officers have done extraordinary work keeping the traveling public safe,” said Cox. “Every day they step foot into our airports they are putting their lives on the line to protect us, and they deserve to be compensated for that sacrifice.”

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 700,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia.

Media Contact
Company Name: AFGE 1048
Contact Person: Henry Nnorom
Email: Send Email
Phone: 307-270-5738
Country: United States
Website: www.afge.org