Airport Receives $1.6 Million; Controllers Get The Tight Lip

While folks in Meridian, MS were giddy about getting a $1.6 million grant from FAA Administrator Marion Blakey (right) for their local airport, the administrator had many things on her mind during her June 1 visit there.

"I came to Mississippi to see how aviation is growing in Meridian, Tupelo and at the Golden Triangle airports," Blakey said. "But our main concern tonight is to announce the grant to be given to Meridian to help fix drainage, wildlife assessment and electronic security systems," according to a Meridian Star report.

The AIP funds will also cover rehabilitation for general aviation needs, airport guidance signs, fire fighters communication equipment, electronic gate security, and emergency generators that will sustain security systems in the event of an extended power outage.

Blakey, who supervises 48,000 employees and oversees a $14 billion yearly budget, also commented about the impending deadline by Congress over air traffic controller negotiation that stalled and fell apart in April.

Blakey said there have not been any recent developments in the controversy over a new compensation plan for air traffic controllers.

As Aero-News reported, negotiations came to a standstill when Blakey failed to return to the table when the National Air Traffic Controllers Association offered a $1.4 billion reduction in labor and pensions. Blakey and the FAA were seeking a $1.9 reduction.

Contract negotiations between the FAA and National Air Traffic Controllers Association began in July 2005. In March 2006, the Federal Mediation Conciliation Service was called in to mediate the negotiations, which were declared to be at an impasse by FAA officials.

By law, all impasse proposals for FAA and unions to negotiate pay are sent to Congress. Within 60 days the FAA has the authority to implement its proposal unless Congress acts otherwise.

That Congressional review period ends Monday -- "and some members of Congress say go back to the table, but I do not see any point in that," Blakey said.

FMI: www.meridianairport.com, www.faa.gov