Air traffic controllers missed their first full paycheck earlier this week.
Major U.S. airlines have started to openly plead with Congress to end a government shutdown that entered its 29th day on Thursday.
“Delta Air Lines implores Congress to immediately pass a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government so that our air traffic controllers, TSA and CBP officers charged with the safety and efficiency of our national airspace can collect the paychecks they deserve,” a Delta spokesperson said in a statement sent to Gizmodo.
In the event of a government shutdown, many federal employees lose their jobs. But some that are considered essential to the protection of life and property, like air traffic controllers and TSA, are required to work without pay or additional support staff.
These workers got a reduced paycheck earlier this month, because the shutdown started a few days into that pay cycle. But on Tuesday, the employees officially missed their first full paycheck.
“Missed paychecks only increase the stress on these essential workers, many of whom are already working mandatory overtime to keep our skies safe and secure,” Delta wrote.
Air traffic controllers, who are the backbone of safe air travel, are working mandatory overtime, clocking in for 10 hours a day, six days a week, according to the labor union National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA).
