Seven FAA Unions Urge House To Drop ATC Reform Push

With less than two months before the FAA’s operating authority is once again set to expire, seven unions representing agency workers are urging the House to drop efforts to separate the air traffic control system and pass comprehensive FAA reauthorization legislation bill. The Senate passed a reauthorization bill in April but the version passed by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has stalled over a controversial proposal to create an independent organization to run ATC.

In a May 19 letter to House lawmakers, the unions offered support for the bill, noting it would streamline certification, improve safety oversight and bolster unmanned aircraft systems safety. The unions also endorsed the fact that it does not include a provision similar to the proposal passed by the House.

“It is crucial that the FAA be allowed to continue serving not only the nearly two million daily air travelers but also the stakeholders, including general aviation users in small towns and rural America, who rely on the aviation system,” the letter said.

The unions expressed concern that the House proposal would make major changes to labor laws, fearing that access to a grievance process and whistleblower protections would be cut. They also criticized the proposed makeup of the ATC board, which they said would have “very little labor representation and gives power to certain special interests.” The proposed funding system, they added, “opens the door to the possibility of insufficient funding that could result in decreases in service and staffing cuts.”

Signing the letter were the American Federation of Government Employees; American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees; Laborers’ International Union of North America; National Association of Government Employees; National Federation of Federal Employees; Professional Association of Aeronautical Center Employees; and Professional Aviation Safety Specialists.