Air-traffic controllers working unpaid during the government shutdown are posting their $0 pay stubs on Twitter
- Air-traffic controllers, along many other federal employees in the US, have been working unpaid during the government shutdown.
- On Thursday, air-traffic controllers missed their first paycheck, with some posting photos of their $0 pay stubs on Twitter.
- Aviation-industry workers, along with some political leaders, are rallying in Washington, DC, on Thursday to demand an end to the government shutdown, which began on December 22.
As the US government shutdown continues into its third week, federal employees who have been working unpaid are missing their first paychecks.
On Thursday, air-traffic controllers around the US received pay stubs showing $0 in income. Some have even posted photos of them on Twitter.
It should be noted that the workers will receive back pay once the government reopens. Those controllers who were furloughed won't be so lucky and may not get paid.
The National Association of Air Traffic Controllers (NATCA), a union that represents roughly 20,000 controllers around the US, says the shutdown is creating additional strain on people who already carry a heavy burden.
"Even though air traffic controllers and traffic management coordinators remain on the job, dedicated to the safety of every flight, they don't know when they'll receive their next paycheck and that adds more stress to an already stressful profession," NATCA said in a letter last week to Congressional leaders.
According to NATCA, there are currently fewer fully trained controllers than at any other point in the last 30 years.
The Air Line Pilots Association, as well as two major flight attendants unions, have also dispatched letters to President Donald Trump and congressional leadership, echoing NATCA's concerns.
"Flight Attendants across the industry ask you to end the shutdown now," the flight attendants' unions said in their letter. "This is a matter of safety, security, and economic concern."
"We are in awe of the transportation security officers, air traffic controllers, and other workers deemed as essential employees for their patriotism in coming to work without the certainty of a paycheck or any resolution to this shutdown," their letter went on to say.
Aviation-industry workers, along with some political leaders, are rallying in Washington, DC, on Thursday to demand an end to the government shutdown, which began on December 22.