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Personal toll taken against workers in government shutdowns
The uncertainty these past few days created anxiety for federal workers and Americans trying to plan for the holidays.
OAKLAND, Calif. - The uncertainty these past few days created anxiety for federal workers and Americans trying to plan for the holidays.
Some canceled their holiday plans and worried about how to pay their bills if Congress couldn't reach a deal by the midnight deadline.
The turmoil on Capitol Hill this week when Republicans pulled out of the bipartisan budget deal put added stress on many Americans.
"I feel bad for people who are heading into the holiday season and are disrupted, or being told they're essential workers and might not have their income or checks in hand," said traveler William Dale.
At Oakland International Airport Friday, many federal TSA workers remember the pain of working without paychecks for over a month in 2018 during the first Trump Administration.
"At the time, I'm an [TSA] officer…just had a baby girl born in November of that year, so it was tough. A lot of officers, the credit got ruined. Had to look for other jobs," said Chief Steward Andrew Cardosa, TSA worker at OAK.
Cardosa is the chief steward of the American Federal Government Employees Union, Local 1230, and represents hundreds of local TSA workers in Oakland and Stockton.
"I knew officers who couldn't even put gas in the car," he said. "A month without pay is tough, especially during the holiday time… Not only Christmas, but if you're a property owner you have property tax, etc. It's tough."
The AFGE union represents more than 700,000 federal workers and union officials said the past few days have been terrifying for workers and their families.
"I really think it's unfair for them. I think we should have a better system where we're not weaponizing our federal workers for political gain," said Mario Campos, vice president of AFGE District 12.
Union officials said the public too suffered during government shutdowns, with social security checks in jeopardy, border security agents working without pay, parks and other federal facilities all closed.
"I'm frustrated that we're in this situation of constantly worrying about the government shutting down," Dale said.
Even though the bill passed the House, the uncertainty takes its toll.
Union officials said the last government shutdown led to many people leaving their jobs and going for other positions in the private sector, so they wouldn't have to deal with this stress.