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End the Government Shutdown Immediately

End the Government Shutdown Immediately

Air traffic control is one of the most complex and stressful professions in the world, requiring multiple layers of systems and processes for thousands of controllers and other aviation safety professionals to successfully separate the nearly 35,000 flights that take place every day in the U.S. These flights carry millions of passengers safely to their destinations and drive our economy by transporting more than 61,000 tons of high-value, time-sensitive, and life-saving goods such high-value electronics, fresh food and flowers, live animals, and pharmaceuticals and other medical supplies each and every day.

A government shutdown is detrimental to the safety and efficiency of our National Airspace System (NAS). The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) strongly opposes the government shutdown, which includes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The shutdown threatens the NAS and negatively affects approximately 10 million aviation-related jobs and the $1.5 trillion annually that aviation contributes to the U.S. economy.

No one should be under the illusion that it’s business as usual for aviation safety during the shutdown. Every day the shutdown continues, the negative consequences to the NAS and its employees are compounding. Inside are examples of the effects the government shutdown has on the FAA and our workforce.

What’s at Stake

  • Effects on Workers: Air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals currently are working without pay, often under grueling schedules of six days a week, 10 hours a day. Some are taking second jobs to feed their families and pay their bills—leading to stress and fatigue.
  • Furloughs: Approximately 2,350 NATCA-represented aviation safety professionals—including aircraft certification engineers and aerospace engineers—are furloughed. Critical safety support, operational support, and modernization work will stop.

A shutdown doesn’t just harm NATCA members. It threatens the reliability and efficiency of our entire aviation system.

NATCA in News Segments About the Shutdown

National News

Regional News
NATCA does not endorse, support, or condone any federal employees participating in or endorsing a coordinated activity that negatively affects the capacity of the NAS, or any other activities that undermine the professional image and reputation of the people we represent. Air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals take their responsibility to protect the safety of the flying public very seriously. Participating in a job action could result in removal from federal service. It is not only illegal, but it also undermines NATCA’s credibility and severely weakens our ability to effectively advocate for you and your families.

Shutdown Media Releases & Statements

NATCA Social Media About Shutdown

@natcanational

American air traffic controllers continue their vital work of keeping the flying public safe during the government shutdown despite receiving a $0 paycheck on Oct. 28. NATCA recently visited Washington Dulles International Airport to ask airline passengers their thoughts about the government shutdown and their thoughts about ATCs working unpaid as the government shutdown drags on. EndTheShutdown #WashingtonDC #AirTrafficControllers

♬ original sound – NATCA – NATCA
@natcanational

During the government shutdown, air traffic controllers continue to report for work to keep our country running and protect the flying public, but they’re doing so without a paycheck. This week, we visited Washington Dulles International Airport to ask airline passengers if they had anything to say to America’s unpaid air traffic controllers. #EndTheShutdown #WashingtonDC #aviation #AirTrafficControllers

♬ original sound – NATCA – NATCA
@natcanational

Today, America’s air traffic controllers are missing a full paycheck because of the government shutdown. NATCA members describe what missing that paycheck means to them and their families, sharing worries about paying for food, covering rent or mortgage, and affording the childcare necessary to go to work. The stress caused by all of this is a distraction for them that makes our National Airspace less safe. NATCA calls on Americans to contact their members of Congress and demand an immediate end to the shutdown. www.natca.org/actioncenter/ #EndTheShutdown #NATCA The NATCA members in this video include: – Drew Stewart (Seattle Center, ZSE) – Jenny Benjamin (Denver Center, ZDV) – Lea Rossil (Los Angeles Center, ZLA) – Matt Jones (Engineer/New England Region, ENE) – Brittney Armbrust (Colorado Springs Tower, COS) – Nastran VanHoven (Palwaukee Tower, PWK)

♬ original sound – NATCA
@natcanational

Because of the government shutdown, American air traffic controllers across the country will receive a $0 paycheck on Tuesday. They aren’t getting paid for the vital work they perform managing the air travel of millions of Americans on tens of thousands of flights. This creates financial stress and distraction for hardworking Americans who perform some of the most stressful, challenging work to keep the flying public safe. This is unacceptable. NATCA leaders call on Americans to contact their members of Congress and demand an immediate end to the shutdown. #EndTheShutdown #NATCA

♬ original sound – NATCA
@natcanational

NATCA members describe what missing a paycheck means to them and their families. Zero-dollar paychecks mean worries about paying for food, covering rent or mortgage, and affording childcare necessary to go to work. Some controllers are getting second jobs to pay the bills. It’s a terrible burden for them on top of the up to 60 hours a week many of them work keeping America’s skies safe. The stress caused by all of this is a distraction for them that makes our National Airspace less safe. NATCA calls on Americans to contact their members of Congress and demand an immediate end to the shutdown. www.natca.org/actioncenter/ #EndTheShutdown #NATCA The NATCA members in this video include: – Sandii Follmer (Washington Center, ZDC) – Steven Brown (Portland Tower, PWM) – Matthew Adair (Columbus Tower, CMH) – Cristian Peguero (Miami Center, ZMA) – Otis White (Rochester Tower, ROC) – Lorraine Felix (Los Angeles Center, ZLA)

♬ original sound – NATCA
@natcanational

NATCA leaders speak about the dedication of air traffic controllers across the country, who have and will continue to show up to work during the government shutdown. NATCA members remain committed to ensuring doing the essential work of moving passengers and cargo during the ongoing government shutdown. NATCA members featured in the video include: ● Nick Daniels (NATCA President) ● Joe Segretto (FacRep at New York TRACON, N90) ● Amy Lark (FacRep at Potomac TRACON, PCT) ● Matt Ellington (FacRep at Chicago O’Hare Tower, ORD) ● Andrew Buckman (FacRep at Atlanta Tower, ATL) ● Danny Garcia (FacRep at Miami Center, ZMA) ● Andrew Strunk (FacRep at Dallas-Fort Worth TRACON, D10) ● Mike Redford (FacRep at Las Vegas Tower, LAS) ● Michael Flores (FacRep at Los Angeles Tower, LAX) ● Joe Gertonson (FacRep at Honolulu Control Facility, HCF) ● Candice Gertonson (member at HCF) #EndTheShutdown #NATCA

♬ original sound – NATCA

NATCA is doing everything in our power to educate elected officials about the serious harm this shutdown is inflicting on our workforce, the aviation system, and the American public. To amplify our message, we’ve launched a nationwide advocacy campaign, and we need every member to take part.

Want to Help? Take Action Here Now

Please take a few minutes to email your elected officials and demand an immediate end to the government shutdown.

TAKE ACTION HERE!

The more emails we send, the louder and clearer our collective voice will be heard. We are not advocating for or against any policy issues at play in this standoff—our sole focus is ending the shutdown to ensure that all of our members can perform their critical work with timely pay for their work.

NATCA Leaflets 22 Airports Nationwide as Shutdown Forces First Missed Paycheck for Air Traffic 

Controllers are leafleting this week to educate travelers about how the shutdown continues to impact efficiency and introduce risk into the National Airspace System (NAS). During the nationwide action, NATCA members took to Atlanta Hartsfield–Jackson International, Bangor International, Boston Logan, Charlotte Douglas, Cleveland Hopkins International, Denver International, Detroit Metropolitan, Houston Intercontinental, Kansas City International, New York LaGuardia, Los Angeles International, Miami International, Minneapolis–Saint Paul International, Chicago O’Hare, Orlando International, Philadelphia International, Phoenix Sky Harbor, Salt Lake City International, San Francisco International, Seattle–Tacoma, Tampa International, and Washington National.

Download Copy of Stop the Shutdown Leaflet
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