Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Transportation Security Administration agents received only some of their paychecks this week amid the partial government shutdown.
The shutdown began last month after Congress failed to pass a new funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security amid disputes over ICE operations.
After this week, TSA agents will no longer receive any paychecks, Mike Gayzagian, the president of AFGE 2617 New England, the union that represents TSA officers at Logan Airport.
"It appears they are being used as political leverage in a situation that has nothing to do with them and this is unacceptable," Gayzagian said in a statement. "These officers play a vital public safety role by keeping the flying public safe every day. It is incredibly irresponsible to put them in a position where they have to focus on their financial security instead of aviation security."
Some travelers at Logan told WBZ NewsRadio they hope the shutdown ends soon.
Read More: Another Gov. Shutdown Causes Trouble At Logan Airport
"I think it's unfortunate," Margaret from Walpole said. "I appreciate the workers that are here [that] help get us to where we need to go."
"I think some travelers will feel it," Bob from Foxboro said, who also sympathizes with TSA workers. "If you weren't getting a paycheck, what would you do?"
Meantime, TSA PreCheck is back after a brief suspension last week.
"It was a political stunt. People that are in PreCheck, they travel a lot, and they're going to make something about it. So, it was a political stunt," Bob said.
TSA agents were left without pay last year after a 43-day government shutdown ended in November.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojas.bsky.social) reports.