'Eventually, something is going to break': TSA union chief fears a long shutdown could lead to employee resignations

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin TSA employees and air traffic controllers are heading into their first weekend working without pay.

Union officials are concerned their members may not be able to withstand a lengthy government shutdown.

Hundreds of those federal workers are still required to work, but without a budget, they will not be paid until the shutdown is over.

Turnover and resignations were already a concern in this high-pressure industry, and the union president said the shutdown is only making it worse.

Darrell English is the president of AFGE Local 777, the union that represents TSA employees who work in Wisconsin and Illinois airports.

He told us, "I believe this is different than before. So I do believe that this could be a more, a longer shutdown process."

Hundreds of TSA officers work in all the state's commercial airports, from Milwaukee to Madison to Appleton to Green Bay and more.

English said the TSA is a young agency, with many people only on their first or second jobs. "They're not really structured to have that savings cushion like someone like myself who's been there 20 years can say. I can go back to work because I've built up the funds to protect myself."

Which is why turnover is a major concern if younger employees cannot afford to travel to and from work for an extended period of time without an income.

During the last shutdown, which spanned 2018-2019 during President Trump's first term, pressure to end the shutdown built up when large numbers of air traffic controllers called in sick at some major airports.

English doesn't envision TSA employees doing anything like that this time.

Safety is still a priority, English said, but there could be longer wait times and delays if staffing levels are impacted.

He said, "I don't see a fast way out of this because no one is sitting down and talking. And the American publican is the one paying the burden of this as time goes on."

Whenever the shutdown ends, those unpaid employees will receive full backpay.

But the longer the shutdown lasts, the more English fears children will go without food, bills will go unpaid, and some people could even get evicted.

He said the union is working to help with carpooling, as well as assistance for groceries and daycare.

It's important to remember members of Congress will continue to be paid throughout the duration of the shutdown.