PASS on Reinstatement of Probationary Employees at FAA

Details: Published: March 17, 2025

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.

"More importantly, although their termination email indicated they were being let go for performance reasons 'not in the public interest,' PASS has learned from managers and supervisors that this could not be further from the truth, and we are pleased that the expungement of these letters referencing the false performance claims allows these employees to continue their service to the American flying public without this unsubstantiated blemish on their work record. These dedicated employees chose to serve their country, and they will be able to get back to their important work on behalf of the American flying public."