TSA announces $500 bonus for workers during shutdown

TSA Administrator David Pekoske announced this weekend that each uniformed screening officer who worked over the holidays will receive a one-time $500 bonus this week.

"I have approved awards of $500 for each uniformed screening officer, in recognition of their hard work during yet another busy holiday travel season, maintaining the highest of security standards during an extraordinary period," Pekoske tweeted Friday.

And he said that those who worked Dec. 22 would also receive one day of pay by Tuesday.

"As I announced earlier today, we have processed compensation to all TSA employees who worked on Saturday, December 22nd, the day immediately following the start of the lapse in funding," he tweeted.

"This is considered one 'missing day' of pay, so this payment will make our employees whole for Pay Period 25. You'll receive that by no later than Tuesday.

Pekoske said he was able to approve the payments as the longest partial government shutdown in history continues "because of unique authorities provided TSA in law."

"While I realize this is not what you are owed for your hard work during pay period 26 and what you deserve, I hope these actions alleviate some of the financial hardship many of you are facing," he continued.

How many federal workers are affected?

About 800,000 total federal workers have been furloughed or worked without pay during the standoff between Republicans and Democrats over funding the Trump administration's border wall.

There are about 51,000 TSA officers, who are considered "essential" workers and are required to report to work without pay.

How has the shutdown affected airport screenings?

At some airports across the country, the number of TSA officers calling in sick has been on the rise as the shutdown continues.

"This morning, TSA experienced a national rate of 7.7 percent unscheduled absences compared to a 3.2 percent rate one year ago, Sunday, January 14, 2018. Most importantly, security standards remain uncompromised at our nation's airports," Michael Bilello, TSA assistant administrator for public affairs, tweeted Sunday.