PASS and the Modernization of the National Airspace System

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24 Jun

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 (PMO), and for the BNATCS. This PASS member ensures that the voice of front-line employees is heard.

Since the modernization efforts began, the agenda has moved forward at a rapid pace, reshaping long-standing processes and expectations, and this accelerated timeline is already having real impacts on employees.

PASS has consistently emphasized that modernization cannot come at the expense of training adequacy, workforce readiness or system safety. Under a contract article with the FAA, PASS has established a slate of front-line union members to provide oversight, workforce advocacy and operational insight throughout the program’s development and deployment. This dedicated team exists to provide real-world operational experience and candid feedback to decision-makers who may lack direct field experience.

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Celebrating Federal Employees

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30 Apr

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.”

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Jazz Flight AC8646

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24 Mar

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.

Arbitrator Sustains PASS Telework Grievance

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19 Feb

The arbitrator determined that the FAA violated the parties’ collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), In large part, the arbitrator merely recognized the careful balance the FAA and PASS struck in developing rules around telework and remote work during contract negotiations from 2022–2024. Rather than guaranteeing specific telework schedules or remote work, the CBAs focus instead on the process to be utilized to determine which schedule can be available to employees. To that end, the arbitrator found that the CBAs call for routine telework requests and remote work arrangements to be determined on a case-by-case basis utilizing the criteria negotiated in good faith by the FAA and PASS.

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The Cost of a Government Shutdown

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05 Jan

When Congress failed to pass appropriations in the fall of 2025, the resulting 43-day government shutdown tested every corner of the aviation system—and placed an extraordinary burden on all PASS-represented employees. While much of the nation focused on delayed flights and service disruptions, the most critical work continued out of public view: PASS members kept radar functioning, navigational aids online, safety systems certified, and training and modernization plans intact—all while working without pay and without knowing when relief would come. Aviation safety inspectors and other employees were furloughed yet subject to intermittent recall with no telling what their schedule would be from week to week, adding to the stress of not getting paid.

With another funding deadline coming on January 30, PASS continues to warn of the dangers of costly shutdowns on the air traffic control system and the dedicated public servants who maintain and regulate it. “We will continue to stress that aviation workers must be insulated from political stalemates and cannot be forced to work unpaid," said National President Dave Spero. “Disagreements in Congress cannot be allowed to impact the safety and efficiency of our country's aviation system." He also emphasized that “It took many hands to ensure that not one delay during the historic 43-day shutdown was attributed to equipment or system failures."

Despite working in challenging circumstances during the historic 2025 shutdown, PASS-represented employees remained focused on keeping the aviation system safe. But PASS members also took time to make sure the public and lawmakers were aware of the impact any lapse of funding would have not only on the air traffic control system but on their personal lives as dedicated federal employees.

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PASS on Bonuses for FAA Employees

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20 Nov

Earlier today, the FAA provided notice to PASS that it intends to award $10,000 bonuses to 423 PASS-represented employees in the FAA’s Technical Operations division, and an unspecified number of employees in Flight Program Operations.

While the union is appreciative that the important work of FAA employees is being recognized, it is important to understand that well over 6,000 PASS-represented employees worked without pay during the shutdown. They maintained all of the equipment and systems needed by air traffic controllers to communicate with pilots to keep the National Airspace System (NAS) operational and the American flying public safe. Other employees performed a wide range of critical services needed to maintain the aviation ecosystem. It took many hands to ensure that not one delay during the historic 43-day shutdown was attributed to equipment or system failures.

The union is reviewing the information that has been provided by the FAA and is evaluating how best to ensure that all employees who worked during the shutdown are recognized.