LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Thousands of TSA workers at Harry Reid International Airport are working without pay as the partial government shutdown reaches day 38, with some employees already receiving eviction notices.
About 1,100 TSA workers in Las Vegas have been impacted by the shutdown. Nationwide, about 400 TSA workers have resigned since the shutdown began, and more than 3,000 called out of their shifts Monday, according to Fox News.
MORE NEWS: More than 450 TSA officers have quit during the partial government shutdown, DHS says
“These officers are exhausted. Not just mentally, physically, financially, they are exhausted,” said Kenny Etimani, a TSA worker and union shop steward for AFGE Local 1260 at Harry Reid International Airport.
Community support helps workers
Etimani, who has worked for TSA for three years, said workers are relying on donations to put food on their tables.
“I’m next to every single person here every single day. We’re not getting paid and we’re struggling,” Etimani said.
United Nissan reached out to other local businesses looking for a way to help, and in 24 hours devised a plan to provide $200 gift cards for every TSA employee.
“We all realize that Vegas is built on tourism, and it’s the great men and women of TSA that take care of the millions and millions of people that come through our airports every year,” said Don Forman of United Nissan.
On Tuesday, the dealership had already handed out more than 600 cards and said they would not stop until everyone received a gift card.
Financial toll mounts
Etimani said many officers have depleted their savings and retirement accounts.
“A lot of officers, they took out from their 401Ks, they drained their savings and everything. So, whatever safety net they did have, they don’t have it this time around,” he said.
At least two TSA officers have already been served eviction notices, Etimani said.
Airport operations continue
Lines at Harry Reid International Airport are moving, with passengers waiting about 10 to 15 minutes. Union representatives said the airport is seeing about a 15 percent call-out rate, lower than many other airports.
“We have people who are getting sick. And it makes it incredibly difficult to maneuver through the work life,” Etimani said.
He said Las Vegas has not been hit as hard as other cities, in part due to community support.
“We are so grateful for things like this. We have food drives, we have pantries, and things. And that’s been tremendously helpful for all of us,” Etimani said.
How to help
A TSA food pantry at Harry Reid International Airport is accepting donations of non-perishable food, baby items, and toiletries. Donations can be dropped off at Terminal 1, Level 2.
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