Air traffic controllers miss first paycheck

[DonViejo]

Source: Politico



By SAM MINTZ 01/10/2019 10:08 AM EST

Air traffic controllers, who are working through the government shutdown, won't be getting a paycheck for their last two weeks of work, their union confirmed Thursday morning.

Pay stubs reading a net pay of zero dollars were distributed Thursday morning, including one for a controller at a major air traffic control hub outside of Washington, D.C. shared with POLITICO.

Controllers and other aviation industry workers are planning to rally outside the Capitol building Thursday afternoon to call for the shutdown to be halted. They will be joined by several members of Congress from both parties and representatives of the airline industry, among others.

The union has said that beyond the lack of pay, the shutdown will also exacerbate long-term staffing problems and delay projects including the implementation of a new communications system for the nation's air traffic control system.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/10/air-traffic-controllers-miss-first-paycheck-1093977

[ffr]

1. Regret, as I'm sure enough of them still support Russia's, I mean, tRump's actions.

[Major Nikon]

2. If you have any travel plans in the next couple of weeks that involves air travel,

... you might want to consider other modes of transportation.

[JudyM]

9. I was supposed to fly today, canceled it yesterday. Stuck out of town till this clears.

[a la izquierda]

11. I'm flying to Scotland Saturday.

I'm a nervous wreck. Trying not to be, but I can't help it.

[LakeSuperiorView]

3. Will they be getting bills for their healthcare premiums?

Or do they have 100% company paid healthcare?

[BumRushDaShow]

6. During past shutdowns, the government picked up the employee's premiums

and when the shutdown was over and the employee was paid, the employee's portion was deducted from the lump sum payment to retroactively reimburse the government (before I retired from the feds, I was furloughed during the 2013 shutdown and that is how it was handled).

There is no "100% company (federal government) paid" premiums. The government picks up part and the employee picks up part.

[Tobin S.]

4. Shit. My wife is out in Seattle right now.

I wonder if she'll be able to get back when she needs to. At the same time, it's not right that these people are working without pay. I suppose we could put her on a bus.

[Major Nikon]

7. I suspect the next day after the impact is felt, the GOP will fold like a cheap tent

[Turbineguy]

5. How very selfish of them

everybody knows trumps ego is more important than anything.

[PatSeg]

8. Many air traffic controllers retire each year

(usually mandatory) and restaffing is very difficult and time consuming. The training program is rigorous and a lot of prospective controllers wash out before they are assigned to a center. They are very shorthanded right now and have not recuperated from the last shutdown. This is a serious problem for the safety of air travel.

Added to that is the effect that the shutdown has on the NTSB. It has to prioritize its investigations and some will not get done, as so many of their workers have been furloughed. This will affect more than just air travel.

We will be feeling the effects of this ridiculous shutdown for a long, long time in ways that many people do not anticipate, especially the man responsible in the White House.

[GeorgeGist]

10. Putin's pleased.

[MineralMan]

12. Well, I'm glad I'm done with my traveling for the month.

I thanked several TSA agents at security screening areas for working through the shutdown. All seemed glad to hear someone say that.

Their willingness to work without pay will end soon, I'm sure. I wouldn't plan air travel in the next few weeks until this is settled.