FAA, Controllers Union Disagree On Hours Requirements
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association would like a
solid answer on whether overtime is a requirement when working at
an FAA facility... or something that is only needed on occasion,
and at the controller's discretion.
NATCA spokesman Doug Church tells ANN that in a March 14 story
published in The Cleveland Plain Dealer, FAA Spokeswoman Diane
Spitalieri said, "We do have overtime at some facilities, but it is
strictly voluntary.”
The controllers union -- which butts heads with the FAA on this
issue regularly, especially in the wake of last year's breakdown in
contract talks -- says that statement contradicts what it is
hearing from actual controllers -- and from others in the FAA.
"This past Sunday (18 March 2007), I was roused by a phone call
at approximately 6:15 am from the FAA manager at MDW informing me
that I had to come in for overtime," writes one controller in
Chicago. "I asked him if he had called anyone else, and he said
"no..." I requested he call some other people to see if any
of them wanted to work the overtime. He said he would, but
reminded me that if he couldn't find anyone else I would have to
come in. I assured him that I understood that and would answer the
phone when he called back.
"I make it well known that I don't want OT, and can't remember
the last time I voluntarily worked OT," the controller adds. "I
certainly was NOT on an "I want OT" list."
A report from the NATCA chapter that oversees controller
operations at the Sioux City (IA) tower states overtime is being
forced on controllers, due to inadequate staffing levels.
"Sioux City Air Traffic Control
Tower schedules approximately 184 hours of overtime each month,"
the report states. "Due to recent retirements, we do not have
enough Certified Professional Controllers (CPCs) to staff the daily
operation. The absolute minimum amount needed to cover the hours of
operation at the facility is nine; we have seven. This requires two
controllers to work mandatory overtime each and every Saturday and
Sunday.
"The published staffing guidelines for the facility (released
earlier this month in the FAA’s updated Workforce Plan) are
11-13," the chapter adds. "If anyone is sick or has vacation time
scheduled, overtime must be utilized."
The Orlando Sentinel reports earlier this month, staffing levels
dropped at the control tower at Orlando International Airport to
the point the FAA temporarily scaled back landings at MCO to about
half of normal levels. Local NATCA representative Scott Burks says
six-day workweeks and long days have become common at the
facility.
"It's wearing us down," said Orlando controller and local union
representative Scott Burks. "We don't want to wait until something
dramatic happens to fix the issue."
FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said the March 15 slowdown in
Orlando was a "rare event," and occurred when a "couple" of people
called in sick and the manager couldn't find replacements. Area
thunderstorms also complicated matters, Bergen added.
Bergan went on to say that, in the case of Orlando, about half
of all overtime is assigned, while the other half is voluntary.
As Aero-News reported, the
issue of 'staffing' has become a sensitive issue for the FAA... to
the point a recent memo from Charlotte (NC) FAA operations manager
Thomas Denny advised subordinates in a memo to avoid using the word
completely.
"Be advised that anytime a facility uses the word STAFFING, you
can rest assured it will be seen immediately in writing at the
Headquarters level," Denny wrote. "If for any reason you use the
STAFFING word, PLEASE advise me ASAP."
Burks sees little point in mincing words.
"If it's a staffing issue, let's call it a staffing issue and
not sugarcoat it," the Orlando controller told the Sentinel.
"The Federal Aviation Administration simply cannot produce a
consistent answer on whether overtime for its air traffic
controllers is voluntary or mandatory," NATCA's Church tells ANN.
"Controllers believe the latter and have the proof from their own
facilities; it is the surest sign of a growing staffing crisis
because if staffing were not a problem, the FAA would not need to
assign overtime."