Burbank Airport Workers Raise Funds for Unpaid TSA Agents

Police officers and firefighters collect donations to help TSA coworkers during government shutdown

Mar. 21, 2026 at 9:33pm

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Police officers and firefighters at Hollywood Burbank Airport are raising money for their TSA coworkers who have not been paid due to the partial government shutdown. They are collecting funds from passengers and converting the donations into gas cards to help the TSA agents get to work as gas prices rise.

Why it matters

The partial government shutdown has caused over 300 TSA agents nationwide to quit their jobs, leading to long lines at airports. The fundraising effort by the Burbank Airport's public safety workers aims to provide financial assistance to their TSA colleagues who are working without pay to keep air travel operations running.

The details

The government shutdown began on February 14th over a disagreement in funding for the Department of Homeland Security. As a result, TSA agents have not been paid for over a month. The Burbank Airport's police officers and firefighters are using firefighter boots to collect donations from passengers, which they will then convert into gas cards to help the TSA agents commute to work.

  • The government shutdown began on February 14, 2026.
  • It has been over a month since TSA agents have been paid.

The players

Edward Skvarna

Director of Public Safety at Hollywood Burbank Airport.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

The federal agency responsible for airport security screening.

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What they’re saying

“These people are patriots and great Americans. To come in for 30 days and work without pay to keep the airline system operating, we can't put passengers on airplanes if the TSO's aren't screening them. So, it's a huge, it's a huge debt of gratitude from the airport and the airport community.”

— Edward Skvarna, Director of Public Safety

What’s next

It is unclear when the partial government shutdown will come to an end, as lawmakers continue to debate the issue.

The takeaway

The fundraising effort by Burbank Airport's public safety workers highlights the impact of the government shutdown on federal employees like TSA agents, and the community's willingness to support their colleagues during this difficult time.