The BareStory
The Federal Aviation Administration has announced that 776 air traffic controllers and technicians will receive $10,000 bonuses for maintaining perfect attendance during the recent 43-day government shutdown. During the shutdown, which was the longest in U.S. history, these essential employees worked without pay. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated the bonuses acknowledged the dedication of patriotic workers who kept the public safe. The payments are scheduled to be issued by December 9.
Unions representing aviation employees expressed concern that many workers were excluded. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association said 311 of its members would receive the bonus, leaving out thousands of others who also worked. The Professional Aviation Safety Specialists union reported that 423 of its technicians would be rewarded and argued that all who maintained equipment should be recognized. Both unions said they would seek to have all employees who worked during the shutdown acknowledged.
The shutdown period was marked by an increase in controller absences, which led to flight delays and federally ordered service reductions at dozens of airports. According to Secretary Duffy, FAA safety experts grew concerned as absences increased, citing pilot worries and a number of runway incursions. He also noted that the shutdown worsened a pre-existing critical shortage of controllers, many of whom were already working mandatory six-day weeks.
One lawmaker, Democratic Rep. Rick Larsen, called the administration's decision "wrong" and argued all workers deserved a bonus. The announcement follows a similar plan revealed last week by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to award $10,000 bonuses to some Transportation Security Administration officers. Since the shutdown ended, the FAA has reported improved controller staffing, and airlines have been permitted to resume normal operations.
How it may affect me
As a U.S. reader:
• The bonuses are tied to attendance during the recent shutdown, a period that saw increased flight delays, service reductions, and FAA-cited safety concerns at airports.
• A critical shortage of air traffic controllers, which the shutdown worsened, may continue to affect the long-term reliability and safety of air travel.
• Union efforts to get recognition for thousands of excluded workers could influence future policy on compensation for essential employees during government shutdowns.
