Mon, Aug 30, 2004
FAA Ordered To Immediately Correct Staffing Shortage In
Safety-Related Positions
The Federal Labor Relations
Authority (FLRA) last week unanimously upheld an arbitrator's
decision ordering the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to
immediately bring systems specialist staffing to a minimum of 6,100
nationwide. The arbitrator's decision upheld by the FLRA was the
result of a grievance filed by Professional Airways Systems
Specialists (PASS), the union that represents FAA systems
specialists.
PASS President Tom Brantley explained that the FAA agreed in
2000 to maintain at least 6,100 systems specialists nationwide -the
minimum staffing required to safely certify and maintain the air
traffic control system. Unfortunately, because the FAA considers
systems specialist staffing a low budget priority, the staffing
number has been well below 6,100 for over two years.
"There are serious safety issues for operating the air traffic
control system without enough systems specialists," said Brantley.
"PASS urges the FAA to immediately begin hiring systems specialists
in order to comply with the arbitrator's decision."
The FAA could appeal the FLRA's decision to the United State
District Court. Brantley, however, said that an appeal would have
very little likelihood of success and would merely be a delay
tactic by the FAA.
"Aviation safety will continue to suffer as long as the FAA
continues to delay hiring systems specialists," Brantley argued.
"The agency needs to stop wasting resources on frivolous appeals
and spend more resources on keeping the air traffic control system
safe."
More News
Chaff Thin, narrow metallic reflectors of various lengths and frequency responses, used to reflect radar energy. These reflectors, when dropped from aircraft and allowed to drift d>[...]
“Today, XB-1 took flight in the same hallowed airspace where the Bell X-1 first broke the sound barrier in 1947. I’ve been looking forward to this flight since founding>[...]
“Teaming up with the EAA and Berlin Express for this event in Cincinnati will give warbird fans a unique opportunity to see the aircraft that helped defend freedom and gave t>[...]
Hazardous Weather Information Summary of significant meteorological information (SIGMET/WS), convective significant meteorological information (convective SIGMET/WST), urgent pilot>[...]
Aero Linx: The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission was created by the 1935 Legislature to oversee the development of aviation in the state. The Comm>[...]