Triangle federal workers concerned as shutdown reaches Day 12

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — As the federal government shutdown continues through Day 12, many in the Triangle are still dealing with the effects.

Some flying home to Raleigh-Durham International Airport said they did notice longer lines at some of the other airports they went through.

“We saw pretty long lines at the pre-check. So, you know, we are coming in and going through TSA. It’s almost like the clear line was colliding with the pre-check line. And there’s just some people I want to put some people in front of us doing a little bit, uh, I don’t know, edgy about getting through and are probably thinking why was this happening,” said Anthony Blikslager from Apex.

They’re just grateful to those still on the job, facing a tough situation.

“There’s so much uncertainty,” says Becky Blikslager.

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On Sunday, a representative for the TSA union said workers received a partial check in their last paycheck, but will now continue to work without pay.

It’s not just TSA workers dealing with the stress of the shutdown.

Holly Wilson is the president of the local chapter of AFGE, which represents 2,000 EPA workers at Research Triangle Park.

She says she’s worried about furloughs during the shutdown, or even a reduction in force.

“The job market is pretty tight right now. And no one wants to be out there beating the streets for a job. So just the threat of being RIF’ed is pretty scary,” she said.

She says she’s also worried about the long-term effects of talented workers not wanting to work for the federal government because of the instability of shutdowns.

But in the meantime, it’s the immediate needs of her co-workers she’s worried about.

“We are just like the private sector. You have some folks that, you know, make pretty decent salary, some folks that make, you know, average salaries. We are not sitting on a pile of money. We have mortgages and rent and childcare and utilities and, you know, gas just like everyone else. And if we miss a paycheck, you know, or if it’s untimely, that hurts,” Wilson said.

Tuesday will be that critical point. That is when the Senate is scheduled for another vote, but if things drag on beyond that, this shutdown could go on for even longer than that until they can reach a resolution.