Protest at Oakland Airport — workers not happy about deal to reopen government

Joe Kue Angeles carries a sign as federal workers and supporters protested at Oakland International Airport in Oakland, Calif. Friday, Jan. 25, 2019 after the government shutdown has forced federal workers to miss their second paycheck. less Joe Kue Angeles carries a sign as federal workers and supporters protested at Oakland International Airport in Oakland, Calif. Friday, Jan. 25, 2019 after the government shutdown has forced federal workers to ... more Photo: Jessica Christian / The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Jessica Christian / The Chronicle Image 1 of / 23 Caption Close Protest at Oakland Airport — workers not happy about deal to reopen government 1 / 23 Back to Gallery

About 75 people demonstrated at Oakland International Airport on Friday to express their dissatisfaction with the deal between President Trump and Congress to reopen the government temporarily.

The group included many supporters of federal workers, local union members and some employees who had been affected by the shutdown.

Gathered on the curb of Terminal One, the crowd broke into chants of, “three weeks is not enough,” “Mitch (McConnell) better have my money” and “No more shutdown!” The group walked into the terminal carrying signs and handing fliers to the few passengers arriving for flights.

Meanwhile, Trump stood in the White House Rose Garden, saying he would sign legislation to fund federal agencies and pay employees until Feb. 15. His agreement with Congress does not include money for a border wall, though the president said he will continue to press for one.

“I want to thank all the incredible federal workers and their amazing families who have shown such extraordinary devotion in the face of this recent hardship,” Trump said.

Among those at the Oakland rally was Susan Braverman, who works as a lead officer for the Transportation Security Administration at Sacramento International Airport. She is handling food donations for her fellow TSA officers who were working without pay.

Braverman said the three-week agreement doesn’t make her feel any more secure. “It’s three weeks of uncertainty, three weeks of stress, three weeks of wondering if I’m going to make March’s rent.”

Phil Miedema had planned to retire from his civilian post with the Coast Guard on Dec. 31, but because of the shutdown his employment was in limbo. He hasn’t been paid his last paycheck or the vacation time he expected when he retired.

Over his decades of federal service, Miedema said he’s lived through several shutdowns, but this one was different because of the fight with seemingly no end in sight.

“Since 1996, I’ve seen the damage shutdowns have done to families and their financial security,” he said. “But in previous shutdowns, people had a sense of security that it’d be resolved.”

Ashley McBride is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: amcbride@sfchronicle.com