Lack of Workforce Plans, Inadequate Staffing Lead to Bottlenecks at FAA

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10 Jul

Today, David Spero, national president of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS), called on Congress to engage with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address the severe staffing shortages that could impact the safety of the world’s largest and most complex air traffic control system.

During the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Aviation Subcommittee hearing on Eliminating Bottlenecks: Examining Opportunities to Recruit, Retain, and Engage Aviation Talent, President Spero acknowledged the challenges faced by the agency to recruit and retain employees, especially when considering the staffing of technicians and aviation safety inspectors.

PASS Testimony

“We have concluded that the agency is not hiring enough of these critical employees and it is a primary bottleneck that limits the opportunities for workers in the FAA,” he said.

The PASS leader addressed current staffing shortages at the agency, the failure of the FAA to develop and implement workforce plans in collaboration with the union and inadequate training for the technician workforce. But he also made note that PASS is in negotiations with the FAA for two new contracts. “This presents a significant opportunity for PASS to work with the agency on ways to enhance recruitment and retention,” he said.

While the media focuses on the shortage of air traffic controllers when reporting on non-weather-related flight delays, President Spero told lawmakers that the shortage of FAA technicians is just as acute.

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Telework Language in FAA Bill Reinforces PASS Bargaining Proposals

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17 May

Union Expects FAA to Comply with Reauthorization Legislation

PASS commends the passage of the five-year FAA Reauthorization legislation. For the first time, this bill includes strong policy language regarding telework. Congress understands that telework is an important driver of recruitment and retention of federal employees and can lead to significant agency cost savings. Telework should only be applied in consultation with its labor representatives. PASS is in the process of negotiating successor collective bargaining agreements for the bargaining unit employees it represents at the FAA, in Aviation Safety and the Air Traffic Organization. The reauthorization bill’s language reinforces all of the telework concepts PASS has been proposing to the agency at the bargaining table. Based on passage of this bill, the union expects the FAA to comply with the law and agree to PASS’s telework proposals in short order.

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PASS Celebrates Public Service Recognition Week

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06 May

As we look around the country, particularly at public servants who work on all levels of government to ensure safety, security and services vital to all Americans, it is important to recognize the invaluable contributions that these dedicated individuals make every day.

Since 1985, Congress has designated the first full week of May as Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) to show appreciation for the people who serve our nation as government employees, at the federal, state, county, local and tribal levels. PSRW is a great opportunity for the country to acknowledge the important work all federal employees do every day to keep our nation running.

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PASS on Return-to-Office Plans

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05 May

PASS is providing the templates below for employees to use when filing a grievance regarding your personal telework situation. The pdfs are fillable and you should add your name, facility, location, incident date (when the telework was denied/terminated), and your signature at the bottom. You should also include information specific to your case. You have only 20 calendar days from the denial or termination to file your grievance.

Download the PASS app!

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PASS Supports FAA Reauthorization Bill

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02 May

PASS is pleased with many of the provisions included in the five-year Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill that will be taken up on the Senate floor this week. The union worked with its allies on Capitol Hill to secure language that will increase funding and staffing for the 11,000 employees it represents at the FAA.

“We have been sounding alarm bells for more than a year about how inadequate staffing among both our Technical Operations and Aviation Safety workforces can have a detrimental impact on aviation safety,” said National President Dave Spero. While the FAA Workforce Review Audit provision is welcome and necessary, the agency needs to move quickly on the staffing model for aviation safety inspectors, he said. “With all of the issues that have emerged around the safety culture at Boeing, it is imperative that this workforce be fully staffed so that they can more closely regulate manufacturers as well as the airlines,” President Spero continued.

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PASS Applauds Efforts to Protect Federal Employees

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15 Apr

Earlier this month, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued its final rule aimed at protecting federal employees from the threat of Schedule F, which would essentially strip them of their due process rights.

“The federal workforce, including the 11,000 employees PASS represents at the FAA and DoD, is critical to our country’s success and strength,” said National President Dave Spero. “Allowing politics to interfere with the work of career federal employees is a misguided step. We are pleased the current administration recognizes the value of their work and is moving to protect them from the ‘spoils system’ of the 19th century.”

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