TSA Workers at BWI-Marshall Airport Facing Hardships Amid Partial Shutdown

Union leader says employees are struggling to feed their families as paychecks stop coming in.

Mar. 25, 2026 at 1:39am

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The head of the union representing Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI-Marshall) said the workers are facing severe financial hardship as the partial government shutdown continues, with some employees resorting to selling plasma to buy food for their families.

Why it matters

The partial government shutdown has had a significant impact on federal workers, including TSA officers who are responsible for airport security screenings. The situation at BWI-Marshall highlights the broader challenges facing government employees who are not receiving paychecks during the shutdown.

The details

Mac Johnson, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 0449, said the TSA workers at BWI-Marshall are beginning to struggle financially as they have not received paychecks for weeks. Nationwide, about 400 TSA officers have quit their jobs due to the shutdown. Johnson said some employees are having to sell plasma in order to buy food for their families.

  • The partial government shutdown has been ongoing for several weeks.

The players

Mac Johnson

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

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

The federal agency responsible for airport security screenings.

Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI-Marshall)

The airport where the affected TSA officers work.

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What they’re saying

“It's not that these employees and their families are hungry. They'll begin to starve. Literally starve.”

— Mac Johnson, President, American Federation of Government Employees Local 0449

“There are some employees around this country who are selling plasma so that they can buy food to feed their families. Selling plasma.”

— Mac Johnson, President, American Federation of Government Employees Local 0449

The takeaway

This situation highlights the significant hardship facing federal workers, including TSA officers, who are not receiving paychecks during the partial government shutdown. It raises concerns about the impact on airport security and the well-being of government employees who are struggling to make ends meet.