Federal aviation workers deserve paycheck predictability, stability

OPINION:

TSA employees are on track to receive another $0 paycheck this week, and security lines are unfathomably long at some of our nation’s airports. The solution to all of this lies directly in the hands of Congress — the very people who were elected by American voters to serve the public interest. Yet every time lawmakers fly out of Washington, D.C., they walk right by TSA officers who aren’t getting paid because Congress refuses to work together and reach consensus.

The bottom line is that Congress must get to the table immediately and work with urgency to get TSA employees paid. But their work doesn’t stop there.

It’s critical for Congress to enact legislation that stops this from ever happening again. Right now, lawmakers are sitting on their hands doing nothing with three viable, bipartisan bills that could prevent this mess and ensure that federal aviation workers — including TSA officers, U.S. Customs clearance officers at airports and air traffic controllers — get paid during shutdowns.

Specifically, Congress should pass the Aviation Funding Solvency Act and the Aviation Funding Stability Act, which would guarantee air traffic controllers are paid regardless of the government’s funding status; and the Keep America Flying Act, which would provide the same protections to TSA officers who are tasked every day with keeping Americans secure in the skies.

It’s getting increasingly difficult for TSA employees to put food on the table, put gas in the car and pay the rent. They are having to make tough decisions. Pay the power bill or buy groceries? Childcare or rent? Car loan or kids’ clothes? Airports are organizing food drives and distributing grocery gift cards.

“This is not the American dream that people sign up for. When they go to work, they expect to at least get a paycheck. And I think that’s fair,” said Tanja Mitchell Fowler, a former TSA employee, on TV this past weekend.

The work callout rate is soaring, upwards of 25, 30 and even 50% at some airports.

Wait times at security checkpoints can be up to four hours, amid peak spring break travel season.

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Recently, nine airline CEOs and I wrote an open letter to Congress citing a national survey showing 93% of Americans support paying federal aviation workers, such as TSA, during government shutdowns. Additionally, 88% of Americans say long lines and extended wait times at airport security checkpoints are likely to be repeated if TSA officers continue to work without pay during future shutdowns.

Many people are asking, “What can I do to help?”

We, the American public, can do two things. First, extend a smile, a kind word or a nice gesture to TSA officers. A simple “thank you” can go a long way. Second, call your member of Congress and demand they pay TSA. You can visit Payfederalaviationworkers.com and send a pre-written letter to your representative and senators. They need to hear from their constituents!

Article I of the U.S. Constitution says, “The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.” Hardworking aviation security personnel deserve to be paid, too — and immediately. It’s imperative that Congress gives them paycheck predictability and stability by codifying permanent solutions. Congress must act now!

• Chris Sununu is president and CEO of Airlines for America.

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