FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2026
March 30, 2026
AFGE Communications
TSA Workers Union Calls on Congress to Return to Washington and Fund DHS
Categories:
TSA
AFGE members are continuing to show up, while Congress continues its vacation
Today, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) TSA Council 100, the exclusive union representative of over 40,000 TSA officers across the country, is calling on Congress to return to Washington to provide funding for the Department of Homeland Security agencies and pay its workers.
AFGE TSA Council 100 President Hydrick Thomas issued the following statement:
“For over five weeks TSA officers across the country showed up without being paid to ensure the safety of the flying public and our airports.
“We have performed our duty. Unfortunately, Congress has failed to perform theirs. To leave Washington while tens of thousands of workers are going without pay shows a clear lack of respect for the essential employees tasked with keeping our nation safe.
“Today, AFGE members are continuing to show up, because we are proud of the critical work we do. Today, Congress is continuing their vacation, while their work goes undone.
“AFGE TSA members are grateful to receive some backpay today. But many of our members have seen bills pile up, interest and late fees add up, cars repossessed, and families thrown into disarray because Congress has failed to do their jobs. Over 500 of our colleagues had to quit, and those who couldn't make it to work have disciplinary actions looming over their heads. Backpay alone does not fix those problems. And our fellow DHS employees are still not being paid thanks to the dysfunction in Congress.
“To say we are utterly disgusted and disappointed with our elected officials is an understatement. Congress must come back to Washington, fix this crisis, and stop putting politics over people and vacation over values."
Additional concerns from AFGE TSA Council 100
While AFGE members have received backpay for pay periods 4 and 5, several have received incorrect pay amounts due to missing overtime payments and improper tax withholdings. Additionally, there is still outstanding payment from pay period 3, where employees received partial payment.
AFGE TSA Council also has concern with updated furlough guidance issued by TSA on March 29. Particularly with the removal of furlough status. Previously, officers were able to request to be placed into furlough status when unable to make it to work for various reasons including lack of transportation or childcare due to financial reasons related to the shutdown.
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