A group of Canadian air traffic controllers wanted to show solidarity with their American counterparts working in Long Island without pay since the US government shutdown – so they sent pizza.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) in the US report that there are currently 14,000 controllers working without pay since President Trump shut down government to get his way over the $5.7 billion funding needed to build a border wall with Mexico.

The Canadian Air Traffic Control Association units in Gander and Moncton sent 32 pizzas to the controllers, who must continue working as they are deemed to provide an essential service, even though they are not being paid.

Peter Duffey, president of the Canadian Air Traffic Control Association, said that local unions had been asking what they could do to help. The original idea of pizza deliveries was raised by the controllers in Edmonton and by Sunday morning, Canadian units had sent pizzas to 35 different units in the US.

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