What a Government Shutdown Means for Flight Attendants
October 3, 2025 - At 12:01 am on October 1, our federal government shut down. Here’s what a government shutdown means for Flight Attendants and our union.
Tens of thousands of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees are furloughed. Workers who perform essential operations, like Air Traffic Controllers and TSA Officers, are working without pay — and without the support of other workers who normally help them do their jobs and keep us safe, like safety inspectors.
Forcing safety-sensitive workers to work without pay introduces risk into an already fragile national airspace. And without the support of deemed “non-essential” workers, they don’t have all the tools they need to fully support the system and all of its safety functions.
Aviation safety and the work of our union depend on government workers. A government shutdown affects nearly everything we do. As safety professionals, our training teaches us that the first rule in safety is to remove all distractions. Government workers need steady funding, not unpredictable political turmoil that takes away their paychecks and throws their lives into chaos. What could be more distracting than not getting a paycheck?
Earlier this week, all of the stakeholders in the airline industry sent a letter to Senate and House leadership warning them on the impact of the government shutdown.
All National Mediation Board employees are furloughed. This means mediators can’t call the parties to meet for negotiations.
Workers should never be used as pawns in political conflict. We need a bipartisan agreement that immediately ends this shutdown and maintains affordable healthcare for tens of millions of working people.
