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FAA Employees Represented by PASS Served With Distinction on 9/11

On a crystal clear late summer morning 25 years ago, the 11,000 employees PASS represents at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) were on the job as usual, working for the American public. What transpired that day changed our nation and the aviation industry forever. In the days, weeks and months following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, these employees went above and beyond their usual selfless dedication to their work.

PASS National President Dave Spero was at work in Oklahoma on 9/11. “I witnessed the remarkable professionalism of my co-workers and air traffic controllers to secure facilities and bring aircraft in safely,” he said.

Over 4,000 planes were grounded, and those in the air were directed to the closest airport. PASS members and bargaining unit employees staffed phones to address pilot, mechanic and public concerns. They monitored airports and facilities around the clock, coordinating extraordinary mandates from the White House, Department of Transportation and the FAA. At the request of the Department of Defense, these dedicated public servants staffed long-range radars throughout the country and worked with the Air Force to provide additional radar surveillance, data and voice communication capability to the military.

September 10, 2026

Federal Employee 2027 Pay Freeze Could Impact ATC Modernization

Today, the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS) criticized the announcement last week that the civilian federal workforce will receive no pay increase for calendar year 2027.

Under the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act, the president is required to submit an alternative pay plan by September 1 of each year in order to keep larger raises from taking effect. In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Thursday, the president submitted a plan that would freeze the pay of the federal workforce.

August 31, 2026

Proposed FAA Realignment

As most employees are aware, the FAA plans to significantly realign many organizations within the agency. PASS was specifically briefed on the realignment this week. The briefing particularly focused on any impacts to lines of business where PASS bargaining unit employees currently work. The agency emphasized that this is deliberately referred to as a realignment because the intent is for there to be no changes to pay, grade, bands, work locations or job assignments. It was explained that this realigns management lines of reporting. The changes are expected to be implemented in October 2026. PASS is still in the process of evaluating and reviewing the proposed realignment and will provide more details when they become available. Below are the briefing materials provided to PASS.

August 13, 2026

PASS and Modernization of the National Airspace System

The FAA’s ambitious plans to modernize the nation’s air traffic control system (called BNATCS by the administration) represents one of the most significant efforts impacting the National Airspace System (NAS) and the FAA Technical Operations workforce responsible for maintaining it. Tech Ops employees are among the 11,000 FAA employees represented by PASS.

While modernization is necessary, the speed and process of these efforts must be tempered with ensuring the safety of the aviation system, which means that stakeholder involvement is essential. To that end, PASS has a dedicated representative to the FAA’s Program Management Office

June 24, 2026

Celebrating Federal Employees

Since 1985, Congress has designated the first full week of May as Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) to show appreciation for the men and women who make up the nation’s civil service. PSRW has always been an opportunity for the country to acknowledge the important work PASS members and all federal employees do every day to keep our nation running.

To be sure, these are challenging times for the federal workforce yet employees show up every day to work on behalf of their fellow Americans. “Rising to meet a challenge head on is what federal employees do best,” said PASS National President Dave Spero. “The employees we represent at the Federal Aviation Administration deserve to be celebrated for the stellar government service they provide.”

April 30, 2026

Jazz Flight AC8646

PASS sends its condolences to the families and loved ones of the Jazz Aviation pilots killed in the crash at LaGuardia Airport on March 22, 2026. They were represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), one of PASS’s union partners in securing safe travel for millions of Americans every day. PASS mourns the loss of these aviation professionals and stands ready to assist in any way needed. However, the union will not comment any further on the tragic accident while investigations are underway.

March 24, 2026