FAA Ordered To Immediately Correct Staffing Shortage In Safety-Related Positions

The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) last week unanimously upheld an arbitrator's decision ordering the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to immediately bring systems specialist staffing to a minimum of 6,100 nationwide. The arbitrator's decision upheld by the FLRA was the result of a grievance filed by Professional Airways Systems Specialists (PASS), the union that represents FAA systems specialists.

PASS President Tom Brantley explained that the FAA agreed in 2000 to maintain at least 6,100 systems specialists nationwide -the minimum staffing required to safely certify and maintain the air traffic control system. Unfortunately, because the FAA considers systems specialist staffing a low budget priority, the staffing number has been well below 6,100 for over two years.

"There are serious safety issues for operating the air traffic control system without enough systems specialists," said Brantley. "PASS urges the FAA to immediately begin hiring systems specialists in order to comply with the arbitrator's decision."

The FAA could appeal the FLRA's decision to the United State District Court. Brantley, however, said that an appeal would have very little likelihood of success and would merely be a delay tactic by the FAA.

"Aviation safety will continue to suffer as long as the FAA continues to delay hiring systems specialists," Brantley argued. "The agency needs to stop wasting resources on frivolous appeals and spend more resources on keeping the air traffic control system safe."

FMI: www.faa.gov