TSA, EPA workers in the Triangle feeling effects of government shutdown

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Federal employees in the Triangle are feeling the effects of the government shutdown now stretching into 11 days. There are about 2,000 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) federal employees and contractors in Research Triangle Park, but that number could change next week.

"Next Tuesday, when I go back to the office, I'll have to see did I get a furlough notice ... over the weekend or not," said Holly Wilson, AFGE Union President. Wilson has been with the EPA for more than 20 years, surviving three other government shutdowns. She said this one feels different and added that the agency is experiencing a reduction in workforce.

"This is not as a result of anyone doing a bad job or anything like that, that has absolutely nothing to do with them personally or the quality of their work. It's really frustrating to be used as a pawn like that," said Wilson.

She told ABC11 she's worried these furloughs will affect the public's health.

"You don't want to have to guess if you need to boil that water or you can drink that water; you can use that for your child's formula," Wilson said. "That's what we do. We're testing the water. The same with this soil. If they're out there playing and touching that, you want to know that that is not contaminated soil."

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TSA workers received partial paychecks on Friday because of the government shutdown, and in two weeks, TSA employees will not receive a paycheck at all.

Mac Johnson is the local union president for TSA workers, and said that bills are mounting for employees.

"It's disheartening. They come to work every day to do their job to protect the flying public. And we simply want members of Congress to do their job and pass a budget so this country can continue on," Johnson said.

He said TSA workers have letters from the agency to give to banking institutions, but it's up to the creditor to accept them or not. With the holiday season around the corner, the union is trying to fill the gap.

"We're going to try to reappropriate a portion of our budget to provide non-perishable food, personal hygiene items, things of that nature to help them out as much as we possibly can," said Johnson.