NEB Update: Staying Focused on Facts

Sisters and Brothers,

Over the last year and a half, our workforce and Union have faced numerous challenges. When looking back on the past and projecting ahead, it feels like NATCA and our members are engaged in a marathon; a race that takes strategy, planning, experience, and thoughtful execution. 

News cycles, specifically those fueled by social media posts, often resemble a sprint. They start fast and end in less than 24 hours. Last Friday, we had to make a crucial decision: either rush into the fray or best represent our members by thoroughly reviewing the facts, determining the most appropriate course of action, and ensuring we highlight the incredible work you perform daily.

There was no communication from the FAA at any level regarding an issue or concern about staffing anywhere in the country on Friday. Instead of responding to a social media post without accurate information, we took the time to gather the data from each facility mentioned. Upon analysis, we discovered that the data provided to the Secretary was not only incomplete but misrepresented the situation.

For over a decade, air traffic controllers have endured mandatory overtime, six-day workweeks, missed holidays, weekends, and significant time away from their families because the FAA has failed to staff its facilities adequately. It has been a priority for NATCA for more than a decade to have the FAA address this chronic issue, and we have worked diligently to ensure that maximum hiring continues. 

The consequences of this long-standing staffing crisis extend beyond the workplace. It places a significant burden on controllers and their families. Our members deserve meaningful solutions and not blame for a shortage they did not create.

We shifted the news cycle back to highlighting the amazing work our members do and the daily challenges they face. Those challenges extend beyond the operational environment to include the urgent need for a transformation of the outdated medical system and the critical importance of adopting modern mental health treatments to support air traffic controllers and aviation safety professionals in running the busiest and most complex airspace in the world.

The objective is not to engage in a social media argument but to ensure members, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the general public understand the operational realities facing the aviation system and the dedicated workforce that ensures its safe operation every day. We are moving more airplanes with fewer people, operating within an increasingly strained system, and consistently delivering safe air travel every single day for the flying public. 

Thank you all for the work you do. 

In Solidarity,

NATCA National Executive Board