This may make TSA employees who are not getting their regular paychecks during the partial government shutdown feel a bit better – the agency’s administrator David Pekoske announced on Twitter that he has approved a $500 bonus for each uniformed screening officer.
The bonuses are being paid to officers “in recognition of their hard work during yet another busy holiday travel season, maintaining the highest of security standards during an extraordinary period.” They should show up in TSA employees’ accounts in the next few days.
“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,” wrote Pekoske.
He added that he is able to pay the bonuses “because of unique authorities provided TSA in law.”
He made the announcement in a series of tweets in which he also said that pay had been processed for employees who worked on Saturday, December 22, the day immediately following the start of the lapse in funding.
I committed to explore ways to compensate employees for their work & determined that legally & financially, we can pay for work conducted on Sat., Dec 22. We are working hard to process every TSA employee who worked that day so they can get paid early next week.
— David P. Pekoske (@TSA_Pekoske) January 11, 2019
To every TSA employee– despite personal hardships and professional challenges, we’ve rallied and never once compromised the security of our nation’s transportation systems.
— David P. Pekoske (@TSA_Pekoske) January 12, 2019
I, along with the leadership team at every level, am committed to supporting you. When I asked the team if we could be doing more and challenged them to bring me solutions, they said “yes” and did so.
— David P. Pekoske (@TSA_Pekoske) January 12, 2019
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.
— David P. Pekoske (@TSA_Pekoske) January 12, 2019
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.
— David P. Pekoske (@TSA_Pekoske) January 12, 2019
In addition to this, 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.
— David P. Pekoske (@TSA_Pekoske) January 12, 2019
These awards should appear in their accounts in the next few days.
— David P. Pekoske (@TSA_Pekoske) January 12, 2019
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.
— David P. Pekoske (@TSA_Pekoske) January 12, 2019
I’m able to do this because of unique authorities provided TSA in law.
— David P. Pekoske (@TSA_Pekoske) January 12, 2019
There is an outpouring of industry and public admiration and appreciation for all you’ve done and will continue to do. The nation needs you— stay focused and take care of one another. #NotOnOurWatch
— David P. Pekoske (@TSA_Pekoske) January 12, 2019
