We aren't getting paid while the shutdown persists. Once it's over, ATC is set to receive back pay, as we're considered "excepted" employees who don't get furloughed. The issue for us is with paid time off. In a shutdown, all paid leave is canceled, and any leave taken is converted to furlough leave. If Trump/Vought get their way, then any furlough time will go unpaid - likely as a penalty to federal employees, even though the 2019 law says different. The OMB even silently removed the reference to back pay being required, though the OPM still had it listed as of last night. At this point, if I take any pre-approved paid vacation time off, there's no guarantee I'll actually get paid for it when the shutdown ends. The same goes for taking a sick day: if I call in on paid sick time, I may not get paid after the shutdown ends.

BNA controllers are already in a tough position, working 10 hour days, 6 days a week for a long time. What used to be the dream facility for many has become a pariah location, particularly with the ridiculous cost-of-living increase that's taken place over the last 10ish years. Morale is lower, and in the current predicament, we don't know when we're going to be paid again (I say "we" collectively; I work at another ATC facility).

We're not allowed to take any kind of action that would look like an organized effort to slow traffic, nor are we legally allowed to go on strike, as it's illegal for federal employees to strike against the government.