Union Says Sick Employee Forced To Stay On The Job

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association, an organization representing more than 20,000 ATC operators across the country, has accused an FAA supervisor at Gulfport Air Traffic Control Tower in Gulfport, MS of ordering a sick controller to report for work Thursday, even after the employee said he was incapacitated.

NATCA said in a news release the controller involved followed proper procedure in notifying supervisor Ron Burrus to request sick leave due to a sinus infection. However, Burrus told the controller to show up anyway. When the controller arrived at the tower -- still claiming he was incapacitated due to his illness -- NATCA maintains Burrus assigned the employee to work an operational position controlling live air traffic.

"This is an example of a supervisor out of control," said NATCA Southern Regional Vice President Andy Cantwell. "This... supervisor has absolutely placed lives in danger by ordering an incapacitated employee to perform ATC duties."

The employee remained on position for over an hour while NATCA officials attempted to contact Burrus's supervisors. After a flurry of phone calls over the incident, Burrus released the employee on sick leave to visit the doctor -- just as he was legally required to do in the first place, said NATCA representatives.

According to the union, the NATCA/FAA contract contains specific language dealing with this situation: Sick leave shall be approved for an employee who is incapacitated for the performance of his/her duties.

Burrus was unavailable for comment.

"There is no room for interpretation," Cantwell said. "The FAA assumed a huge liability when Burrus assigned the employee to an operational position responsible for the lives of many pilots and passengers."

"There is no excuse for this type of stupidity," Cantwell added.

FMI: www.natca.org