Today, David Spero, national president of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS), testified in front of Congress to address aging systems maintained by employees PASS represents at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); the lack of adequate staffing among the technician workforce and the fact that the agency is not using a vital resource in service to the world’s largest and most complex air traffic control system—its own employees.

The Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS), AFL-CIO, the union that represents over 11,000 employees at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Defense (DoD), released this statement regarding the election of Donald Trump as president in 2024.

“As a union representing federal employees, PASS is focused on policies that ensure our members have safe, secure federal jobs that allow them to keep the American flying public and the commerce of the nation safe and free from interruption or delays,” said National President Dave Spero.

On the eve of a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing on the federal workforce, the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS), AFL-CIO, joined the Federal Workers Alliance in raising concerns about the  return of Schedule F. The hearing, titled “Ensuring a Trustworthy Government: Examining the National Security Risks of Replacing Nonpartisan Civil Servants with Political Appointees,” is on September 17.

Today, the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS) announced the results of its 2024 national officer elections. PASS represents 11,000 employees of the Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defense.

Running unopposed, National President David J. Spero won his second term in that position. National Secretary-Treasurer Carlos Aguirre was reelected for his third term on the PASS Executive Board.

The five regional vice presidents for PASS were all reelected to their current positions on the Executive Board by the members in their respective regions (they did not run as a slate):

Region I Vice President: Robert Seagrave

Just days after telling lawmakers about the acute shortage of certified technicians at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), David Spero, national president of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS), received word this weekend of another ground stop in the Chicago area because of an equipment failure and no technician on site to fix it. During the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Aviation Subcommittee hearing on Eliminating Bottlenecks: Examining Opportunities to Recruit, Retain, and Engage Aviation Talent, on July 12, President Spero was asked by Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Ill.) about a ground stop in Chicago earlier this…

Today, David Spero, national president of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS), called on Congress to engage with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address the severe staffing shortages that could impact the safety of the world’s largest and most complex air traffic control system.

During the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Aviation Subcommittee hearing on Eliminating Bottlenecks: Examining Opportunities to Recruit, Retain, and Engage Aviation Talent, President Spero acknowledged the challenges faced by the agency to recruit and retain employees, especially when considering the staffing of technicians and aviation safety inspectors.