NATCA STANDS WITH America’s Air Traffic Controllers
“As we have stated before, all air traffic controllers – regardless of race or gender – are well-trained and highly skilled dedicated professionals who keep the national airspace system safe and maintain its efficiency on behalf of all Americans. We have performed these duties while working short-staffed, often 6 days a week, 10 hours a day for years at a time, with outdated equipment and facilities that are in many cases more than 60 years old and long overdue to be replaced and modernized.
“Air traffic controllers, with their unique skill and precision, are the backbone of the world’s safest and most complex airspace system. Every day, they guide thousands of flights, millions of passengers, and tons of cargo safely through dynamic airspace. Becoming a Certified Professional Controller (CPC) is not an easy feat. It requires rigorous training, mastery of complex systems, and the ability to perform under immense pressure.
“We believe that acknowledging the dedication of these professionals and focusing on addressing the chronic understaffing of our air traffic control system, as well as modernizing the nation’s air traffic control infrastructure, would better serve the safety and reliability of the aviation system.
“We must work together to accomplish these goals on behalf of the American flying public.”
MORE INFORMATION:
Galen Munroe, Deputy Director of Public Affairs; 202-220-9802, [email protected].
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is a labor union and aviation safety organization in the United States that represents nearly 20,000 highly skilled air traffic controllers, engineers, and other aviation safety-related professionals. NATCA was certified in 1987 by the Federal Labor Relations Authority to be the exclusive bargaining representative for air traffic controllers employed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Today, NATCA is one of the strongest labor unions in the federal sector and represents a range of aviation safety professionals in 15 FAA bargaining units, five Department of Defense air traffic facilities, and 123 federal contract towers. These air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals make vital contributions to the U.S. economy and make modern life possible by coordinating the safe, orderly, and expeditious movement of one billion aviation passengers and millions of tons of freight within the National Airspace System each year. NATCA is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and is affiliated with the AFL-CIO.
