Copyright WEAU
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) - As the government shutdown continues, some federal employees working in the country’s airports are still unsure of when they will get their next paycheck. “I’ve been clear with our air traffic controllers; they need to show up for work,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said. It’s a request that airports are making of all of their employees to keep showing up to work even without a paycheck. “I’m not going to lie to anybody to say that they’re not feeling the stress. The fact that they are working, and oftentimes they are heads of households. They’re the only income earners in their homes and their families, and the fact that they’re having a hard time paying their bills,” Duffy said. “I’ll tell you this, almost every controller can’t make it two paychecks.” At the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, air traffic controllers are not federal employees. They are contracted through the federal government, so they are still getting paid. TSA workers at the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport are not though. “Their role is critical in maintaining the safety of the airport and the safety of the traveling public,” Charity Zich, the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport Director, said. This week was the first week those employees received blank paychecks. “Our team here at TSA is fantastic and despite the challenges that they’re facing right now, have continued to show up for work,” Zich said. “We haven’t had any impacts on that front.” Zich said she thinks there may not be as much of an impact because the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport is a smaller airport. “It’s more of a team mentality. We’re not just another face or name,” Zich said. “We’re all neighbors and despite the challenges that they’re facing right now, [they] have continued to show up for work and we haven’t had any impacts on that front.” Even so, as the shutdown continues, these employees are being asked to do more and more without an income. Zich said airport staff and other business partners came together this week to buy some food and snacks for TSA employees to thank them for all they are doing. If you want to find a way to support them, Zich said to reach out to the administrative office for more details. You can contact them at admin@chippewavalleyairport.com or at 715-839-6241.
