Government Shutdown Taking a Toll on Employees, ATC Modernization
- Details
- 21 Oct
PASS represents approximately 11,000 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Defense employees throughout the United States and abroad. These employees install, maintain, support and certify air traffic control and national defense equipment, inspect and oversee the commercial and general aviation industries, develop flight procedures, and perform quality analyses of complex aviation systems used in air traffic control in the United States and overseas. The employees work in the Flight Standards Service and Aircraft Certification in the office of Aviation Safety (AVS), and in Technical Operations, Air Traffic Services, Mission Support Services and Flight Program Operations of the Air Traffic Organization (ATO).
PASS-represented employees in training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City were sent home on October 3, with no funding available to keep them in much-needed classes. “It can take three to five years to fully train a technician,” said President Spero. “Any lapse in training can push the clock back, as it did during the academy’s closure during the pandemic."
The union has expressed to agency leadership that the frontline employees are essential to the efforts to modernize the air traffic control system. The union is positioned to be a valued partner moving forward. “These employees have the knowledge and expertise to upgrade the system and transition to it in a safe and efficient manner,” said President Spero. “Every day, though, we’re taking one step forward but two steps back.”
And now the stress of the government shutdown on these employees is starting to be felt in concrete ways.
Government Shutdown Could Jeopardize Modernization of Air Traffic Control System
- Details
- 01 Oct
The Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS) warned today that a government shutdown could jeopardize the administration’s plans to modernize the nation’s air traffic control system. “At a time when there is much-needed focus and movement to reshape and revamp the nation’s air traffic control system, it is troubling that Congress has not been able to pass a continuing resolution or full appropriations bills for fiscal year 2026,” said National President Dave Spero.
PASS represents approximately 11,000 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Defense employees throughout the United States and abroad. These employees install, maintain, support and certify air traffic control and national defense equipment, inspect and oversee the commercial and general aviation industries, develop flight procedures, and perform quality analyses of complex aviation systems used in air traffic control in the United States and overseas. The employees at the FAA work in the Aviation Safety directorate, Technical Operations, Air Traffic Services, Mission Support Services and Flight Program Operations.
“The employees PASS represents at the FAA are going to play a critical role in the plans to modernize air traffic control,” continued President Spero. “Shutting down the federal government is never in the taxpayers’ best interest and certainly not good for the National Airspace System (NAS).”
2025 PASS Convention
- Details
- 20 Aug
Last week, over 150 PASS delegates, members and guests traveled to Las Vegas for the 2025 PASS Convention. This biennial event is an opportunity for PASS members to conduct important union business, hear from aviation and labor guest speakers, attend informational workshops, and meet with their fellow union brothers and sisters.
National President Dave Spero welcomed attendees on the first day of the convention. His remarks emphasized the critical contributions made by PASS members and the need to ensure the PASS voice is heard now and in the future. “Remember that America needs labor unions; America needs aviation; America needs us; our country needs you!” he said.
Meet Our Members: Tonya Otter
- Details
- 18 Jun
As PASS’s organizing drive within the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA)'s Air Traffic Services from 2021–2023 marched toward completion, moving district by district, employees began joining PASS—district by district.
One of those employees was Tonya Otter, a management and program assistant at the Detroit Metro air traffic control tower. “I’ve been in PASS since our district voted to take part,” she said. Detroit falls under the FAA’s Cleveland District and in January 2023, employees voted overwhelmingly for PASS. As a matter of fact, Otter submitted her 1187 before she and her colleagues were officially moved into the PASS bargaining unit by the FAA!
Otter is still learning about PASS and the union’s efforts to protect employees in the workplace and how PASS enforces its two collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) with the FAA. “But I never had a question in my mind about joining and supporting PASS,” she said.
Celebrating Federal Employees!
- Details
- 04 May
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.
But this year is different. Since January, there has been a barrage of memos and actions taken by the administration aimed at federal employees. Through executive orders and negative social media posts making false claims about professionalism and performance, a target has been placed squarely on the backs of our country’s civil servants.
“But that will not stop PASS from recognizing the federal employees we represent at the Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defense,” said National President Dave Spero. “It doesn’t take away anything from celebrating the stellar government service they provide on a daily basis.”
PASS on Reinstatement of Probationary Employees at FAA
- Details
- 17 Mar
PASS National President David Spero released the following statement regarding the reinstatement of terminated probationary employees at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):
"It is welcome news PASS received today that effective this week, the FAA is reinstating the 132 employees we represented who were summarily fired on February 14, 2025, while they were in their probationary period. They will receive back pay from February 15 and should return to duty status on March 20.
"While the agency is complying with a Maryland court ruling handed down last week that said the terminations at various agencies—including the Department of Transportation—were unlawful, this is a win for public safety and for a critical workforce dedicated to the FAA’s mission. Haphazardly eliminating positions and encouraging resignations creates a demoralizing effect on the workforce. The fact that these excellent civil servants, many of whom are veterans and all are members of our communities, can now return to duty and collect a well-deserved paycheck for their professional skills will lift their spirits and those of their colleagues immensely.