WASHINGTON, DC – Reports that the House Aviation Subcommittee will consider transferring air traffic control to the military at hearings next month brought a quick response from the union representing the systems specialists responsible for the safety of the National Airspace System today.
On October 27, PASS President Tom Brantley joined the American Federation of Government Employees and representatives of labor unions for airline pilots, flight attendants and customer service agents at a news conference to demand that airport security continue to be handled by federal employees. Brantley made the following statement:
“On behalf of the 6,100 systems specialists represented by the Professional Airways Systems Specialists, I want to express our extreme disappointment that the House approved an FAA reauthorization bill that threatens the safety of the flying public by not prohibiting privatization of the air traffic control system.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - Staffing shortages at Philadelphia International Airport resulted in a 30-minute ground stop and numerous delays Tuesday morning. The Professional Airways Systems Specialists (PASS), the union that represents systems specialists and technicians who repair and certify air traffic control equipment, warned that this is an indication of future events if the FAA continues to cut staffing at major airports.
“The 6,100 systems specialists and technicians represented by the Professional Airways Systems Specialists (PASS) applaud the Senate for standing up once again to the administration’s efforts to privatize our nation’s air traffic control system.
“The FAA bill is seriously flawed because it does not protect the certification functions performed by systems specialists and technicians. Systems specialists, along with air traffic controllers and employees at flight service stations, keep our National Airspace System safe and efficient. Legislation is required to protect the air traffic control system from the administration’s privatization agenda.
“PASS thanks every Senator – Democrats and Republicans – who voted tonight to protect the safest and most efficient air traffic control system in the world.”
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PASS represents more than 11,000 employees of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense who 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 the aviation systems. For more information, visit the PASS website at www.passnational.org.
PASS President Tom Brantley today released the following statement regarding FAA Administrator Marion Blakey’s commitment to the Senate to not contract out the systems specialist workforce during the 2004 fiscal year:
