Email Sent By The Agency As Partial Shutdown Continues

The FAA has sent an email to employees reminding them of "restrictions on partisan political activity" as the partial government shutdown drags on.

The Young Turks reports that the internal email carried the subject line "Internal Management Guidance Re: Expression of Views Reminder". "Employees are responsible for acquainting themselves with restrictions on partisan political activity and for not engaging in prohibited actions," the email states. "It is important to ensure that remarks made in any forum regardless if made in connection with work or by a person identified as an FAA employee, comport with governing rules and regulations."

An unnamed source for The Young Turks provided a second email referencing the agency's guidelines that states "Please be mindful of this guidance to avoid any unnecessary scrutiny." The source said it was intended to be a threat to employees that they could be subject to scrutiny for expressing political views.

Some air traffic controllers have been involved in informational pickets at airports, including the distribution of pamphlets at KDFW titled "End The Government Shutdown Immediately", according to a report from the Star Telegram newspaper. NATCA has posted a notice on its website urging its members to contact their representatives in the U.S. House and Senate to "keep the pressure on".

NATCA had also filed for a Temporary Restraining Order against the government to get paychecks flowing again, a request that was denied by U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Senior Judge Richard J. Leon.

"Although we are disappointed with the judge’s ruling denying NATCA’s motion for a temporary restraining order, we are encouraged that he acknowledged the ongoing hardships our members are facing because of the shutdown," NATCA’s Executive vice president Trish Gilbert said in a statement. "In recognition that time is of the essence, the judge ordered expedited briefing on NATCA’s motion for a preliminary injunction. We will continue to oppose the injustice of our members working while being deprived of their earned wages and look forward to making our argument on Jan. 31."

FMI: Source report, Source report, www.natca.org