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."

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.natca.org