Another FSS Crew Joins Lawsuit Against FAA

It's no secret that controllers whose FSS jobs have been contracted to Lockheed-Martin are a rather unhappy lot. In fact, some of them are filing a class action lawsuit against the FAA, claiming the government is discriminating against them on the basis of their age.

Now, some of the specialists at the Huron, SD, FSS plan to join that suit, according to local news reports.

Huron is one of the 38 FSS outposts to be closed under the FAA's contract with Lockheed.

The National Association of Air Traffic Specialists (NAATS) claims the government is shutting down the stations and contracting those remaining to Lockheed simply because so many members are reaching mandatory retirement at age 56.

Local politicians are reportedly caught in the middle. On the one hand, they're looking at the loss of $2 million in annual salaries at the Huron FSS. On the other, they're reportedly concerned about flight safety. In all, 23 jobs will be lost if the FAA goes through with the Huron FSS closure. And that's just one station.

NAATS, on its web site, urges members to contact their Congressional delegations and lobby to stop the Lockheed deal from going through.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.naats.org