A strike or organized walk out/sick out, would be against the forms we sign when we are first hired (it is an explicit explanation of the designation emergency/essential employee position). This explanation indicates that participating in a strike or any form of organized walk out, will result in punitive action up to and including dismissal. This is a consistent explanation throughout a persons tenure with TSA, we have consistent reaffirmations, and classes that re-emphasize this point. A strike would result in 2 things, people like myself facing the coworkers that strike on the way into work every day, and those coworkers most likely becoming former coworkers. The current administration does not strike me as a group that would take this kind of a walk-out and be willing to let it go very easily.

I think the most likely scenario if we continue to go without pay, is that you will see a gradual lessening of the reporting staff not due to any kind of organized strike, but due to simply not having any money. Most folks can absorb a couple of paychecks in a situation like this without major ramifications. There comes a point (and it is different for each person) where they are simply not going to be able to make it to work because they do not have gas/transit money, or they are going to have to do some other job in order to meet their basic bills. This first paycheck, a lot of lenders are being magnanimous and allowing a grace period of an extra month, following paychecks, most lenders and landlords are not going to be as forgiving or patient.

Also on a local level, I have been absolutely stunned by the response from the general public. We have 1-3 passengers thanking us for continuing to work during this time, and how nice we have been even in the face of a challenging situation. We have had anonymous folks drop off pizza, BBQ, and other prepared food for the entire workforce. Some of our Sr Leadership has gotten together to provide a potluck type of dinner for the workforce at their own cost. It has been very humbling.