SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Jan. 22, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — Mayor Jackie Biskupski paid a visit to Salt Lake City International Airport on Tuesday to show appreciation for federal workers and offer them some moral support during the government shutdown.
A pizza lunch was provided for employees of Customs and Border Protection, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Transportation Security Administration “to thank them for their ongoing service and to help boost morale…” a news release from Biskupski’s office said.
The government shutdown, which began Dec. 22, was in its 32nd day Tuesday, making it the longest government shutdown in the nation’s history.
Utah has thousands of federal employees who have been furloughed or who are working without pay while the shutdown grinds on. Many of them have expressed their concerns at rallies and in phone calls to their state representatives.
Local charities are seeing a significant uptick in people seeking help, as federal employees are trying to pay bills and feed their families without a paycheck coming in.
The Utah Food Bank was also at the Salt Lake City airport Tuesday to provide items to workers who’ve been affected by the shutdown.
Members of the public who wish to donate food and toiletries can do so later this week at the SLC airport, where donation bins will be set up at the Touch n’ Go Convenience Store and prior to entering the TSA security checkpoints. People can also donate directly to the Utah Food Bank.
“I am incredibly proud of the TSA, CBP and FAA employees at the Salt Lake City International Airport for staying at their critical posts during this difficult time and it’s time for Federal leaders to follow this lead by getting to work to end this shutdown. Our civil servants need paychecks and we all need peace of mind,” Biskupski said in the release.
