Isadora Lilly- TSA Workers Calling in Sick Due to Government Shutdown

As the government shutdown over the Mexican border wall funding extends into its second month, this week marks the second paycheck which will be missed by over 800,000 federal workers across the nation. For airport security workers currently working without pay this means making the decision as to whether they will continue to do so, as an increase of employees call in sick and take on temporary jobs in order to achieve financial stability instead. As of now, about 10% of TSA workers have called in sick due to the government shutdown. This staffing shortage at airports has led to the closing of security lanes, the adjusting of security checkpoints, and longer lines and wait times for passengers.

To this, Trump tweeted his thanks to federal employees currently working without pay, saying, “To all of the great people who are working so hard for your Country and not getting paid I say, THANK YOU - YOU ARE GREAT PATRIOTS! We must now work together, after decades of abuse, to finally fix the Humanitarian, Criminal & Drug Crisis at our Border. WE WILL WIN BIG!”

This increase of federal employees calling in sick and not showing up to work at airports reminds me of the strikes which went on during the Gilded Age, as federal workers seem to protest the government shutdown. Regarding Trump’s way of handling the situation, I do not think that he should be using his power to continue to play around for this so called border security that is the wall, but be giving the people the true financial security they deserve and which is needed in order to survive.


https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/01/21/tsa-government-shutdown-workers-call-in-sick/2636495002/