Federal worker leader says ‘morale is pretty tough’

Key Concepts

• Federal Worker Impact: The consequences of a government shutdown on federal employees, particularly those required to work without immediate pay.
• TSA Officers: Transportation Security Administration officers, their working conditions, and morale during a shutdown.
• Paycheck Disruption: The experience of federal workers not receiving regular paychecks.
• Morale: The emotional and psychological state of affected workers.
• Absent Without Leave (AWOL): A disciplinary status for unauthorized absence from duty.
• Sick Leave/Furlough: Traditional mechanisms for handling employee absence during government shutdowns.
• Back Pay: Compensation for work performed during a shutdown, typically provided after the shutdown ends.
• 2019 Law: Legislation enacted after a previous shutdown that guarantees back pay for federal employees.
• Community Solidarity: The sense of shared experience and mutual support among affected workers.
• Oath to the Country: The commitment federal employees make to serve the nation.
• Mission of TSA: Protecting the nation's transportation system and ensuring freedom of movement for people and commerce.
• Lawmaker Accountability: The expectation for elected officials to resolve government shutdowns and fund the country.
• Platitudes and Empty Messages: Superficial expressions of concern without corresponding action.

Impact of Government Shutdown on TSA Officers

This section details the experiences of federal workers, specifically TSA officers, affected by a government shutdown. Cameron Kocham, a lead TSA officer at Boise airport and vice president of American Federation of Government Employees, Local 1127, shares insights into the challenges faced by TSA employees.

• Paycheck Disruption: TSA officers have not received a full paycheck since September, leading to significant financial strain.
• Morale: The morale among TSA officers is described as "pretty tough day-to-day." This is exacerbated by colleagues calling off work due to illness or the necessity of taking on gig economy jobs like Uber or DoorDash to cover essential expenses like food.
• Unfair Treatment Regarding Absences: A critical issue highlighted is the treatment of officers who call out sick. Instead of being placed on sick leave or furloughed, as has traditionally occurred during shutdowns, some managers across the country are marking these absences as AWOL (Absent Without Leave).
  • Consequence of AWOL: This designation prevents affected officers from receiving back pay when the shutdown ends, unlike other federal employees who would typically be compensated for work performed.
• Guaranteed Back Pay: Kocham emphasizes that back pay is a legal entitlement, guaranteed by a law passed in 2019 following a previous government shutdown. Therefore, it should not be a point of negotiation or a request, but rather an automatic provision.

Community Solidarity and Motivation

Despite the difficult circumstances, a sense of community solidarity and a strong commitment to their mission are what keep TSA officers going.

• Shared Responsibility: Officers are motivated by the understanding that the travelers they screen could be their friends, family, or neighbors. They recognize that they themselves could be in the same situation.
• Oath and Mission: The oath sworn to the country and a belief in the TSA's mission to protect the nation's transportation system and ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce are key drivers. This commitment to public safety and service motivates them to report to work daily.

Message to Lawmakers

Cameron Kocham conveys a direct message to lawmakers regarding the impact of the shutdown on TSA workers.

• Discrepancy Between Words and Actions: Kocham and his colleagues observed lawmakers expressing sympathy and concern for federal workers, but felt these were "platitudes and empty messages." The perceived disconnect between words of care and the lack of action to resolve the shutdown is a significant point of frustration.
• Call for Action: The primary request from TSA workers is for lawmakers to "get together and work together and pass some laws and some budgets to fund the country so we can all get paid again." This underscores the urgent need for legislative resolution to end the shutdown and restore regular paychecks.

Conclusion

The transcript highlights the severe financial and emotional toll a government shutdown takes on federal workers, specifically TSA officers. The practice of marking sick absences as AWOL, thereby jeopardizing back pay, is a major concern. Despite these hardships, a strong sense of duty, community solidarity, and belief in their mission sustain the officers. The core message to lawmakers is a plea for decisive action to end the shutdown and fulfill their responsibility to fund the government and ensure federal employees receive their rightful compensation.