I still fail to see what a strike from 40 years ago has to do with a worker shortage today. Especially because many different industries are reporting shortages. The strike was 40 years ago, are your really claiming that people suddenly remembered it and are now refusing to work? That’s an incredibly disingenuous take.
Just a few years ago during the government shutdown controllers were legit concerned about being paid (and from what I recall - they weren't. Airlines were literally sending pizzas to control towers and facilities).
You’re claiming that federal employees weren’t paid at all?
I believe during the shutdown there was a period they weren't receiving compensation for hours worked. Keep in mind that due to understaffing - folks were already working additional hours/days on top of that. I believe they eventually got paid out months after it, but a bit of a raw deal and could make you think twice about working for the govt.
I believe you’re just making this up. People are paid generally on a biweekly or weekly basis, the shutdown lasted a few days, even if the fed missed a payday, there is no chance it wasn’t paid the following payday. Not trusting the federal government to pay means not trusting in the US dollar at all… kinda unlikely.