TSA Officers at BWI-Marshall Airport Go Without Paychecks Amid Shutdown

Union leaders say hundreds of essential TSA workers are struggling financially as the partial government shutdown continues.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 11:20pm

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As the partial government shutdown drags on, hundreds of TSA officers at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport are facing financial hardship. Union leaders say the workers, deemed essential, have been receiving conflicting guidance from management and will go without paychecks on Friday. The Anne Arundel County Food Bank is stepping in to provide food assistance, but the situation is dire for many TSA employees living paycheck-to-paycheck.

Why it matters

The ongoing government shutdown is having a significant impact on the financial well-being of TSA officers, who are required to work without pay. This is exacerbating existing financial struggles for these essential workers and raising concerns about the morale and retention of the TSA workforce at a major airport like BWI-Marshall.

The details

Union leaders say hundreds of TSA employees at BWI-Marshall Airport are receiving conflicting and contradictory shutdown guidance from management. After most got half of a paycheck or less two weeks ago, every TSA officer at the airport will go without a paycheck on Friday. The workers are deemed essential, and therefore they have to work without pay. The Anne Arundel County Food Bank is stepping in to provide 600 boxes of non-perishable food to the TSA officers, as many live paycheck-to-paycheck and lack savings, with the rising cost of gas also contributing to food insecurity.

  • On Friday, March 15, 2026, TSA officers at BWI-Marshall Airport will go without a paycheck.
  • Two weeks ago, most TSA officers at BWI-Marshall received half of a paycheck or less.

The players

Mac Johnson

President of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 0449, the union representing TSA officers at BWI-Marshall Airport.

Leah Paley

CEO of the Anne Arundel County Food Bank, which is providing food assistance to TSA officers at BWI-Marshall.

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What they’re saying

“Of course, they're frustrated. Because they're sick of going through shutdowns and not getting paid for work performed.”

— Mac Johnson, President, American Federation of Government Employees Local 0449 (wbal.com)

“If this shutdown unfortunately does continue, we're hoping that this distribution will continue.”

— Leah Paley, CEO, Anne Arundel County Food Bank (wbal.com)

What’s next

Union leaders urge travelers to be kind to TSA officers and offer donations to local food banks to help support the essential workers during the ongoing shutdown.

The takeaway

The financial hardship faced by TSA officers at BWI-Marshall Airport due to the partial government shutdown highlights the broader impact on essential federal workers who are required to work without pay. This situation raises concerns about the morale and retention of the TSA workforce at a major transportation hub like BWI-Marshall.