Airport workers miss pay as US government shutdown hits one month

Thousands of Transportation Security Administration staff have been forced to work without pay. Read more at straitstimes.com.

WASHINGTON – US airport security officers missed their first full pay cheque on March 13, as a partial funding shutdown of the government approached the one-month mark, with no breakthrough in a congressional stand-off that is beginning to disrupt travel across the country.

The lapse in funding is forcing thousands of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staff to work without pay as spring travel picks up, raising fears of staffing shortages, longer security lines and flight delays.

TSA officers – the army of workers who screen passengers, baggage and cargo – received only partial pay two weeks ago.

The missed payment on March 13 represents the first full cheque lost since the shutdown began, and unions and government officials warn the financial strain is pushing some workers to quit or seek other jobs.

More than 300 TSA employees have already left the agency since the shutdown began on Feb 14, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said, while US media reported unscheduled absences had more than doubled.

Airports in several cities have warned passengers to arrive hours earlier than usual because of long security lines.