Air traffic controllers now working for food as shutdown stops paychecks and airlines like United and Delta serve them meals
Major airlines providing food for unpaid federal aviation workers
- Federal aviation workers, including air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration employees, missed their first paycheck this week due to the ongoing US government shutdown.
- Despite working without pay as essential staff, major airlines such as American, Delta, JetBlue, and United, along with community food banks, are providing meals and groceries to support these workers.
- Approximately 11,000 air traffic controllers received no pay, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warning that a second missed paycheck would be financially devastating for many.
- The shutdown is leading to increased flight delays and disruptions, as staffing shortages are exacerbated by workers calling in sick or taking on additional jobs to make ends meet.
- Concerns are also rising over the federal government's failure to tap into emergency funding for a critical food assistance programme, potentially affecting over 40 million Americans without urgent intervention.