The shutdown pushes air safety workers to the limits

“We will never compromise on safety. When staffing restrictions arise, the FAA will slow air traffic at affected airports to ensure operations remain safe,” FAA spokeswoman Hannah Walden told WIRED, adding that Transportation Secretary Sean DuffyHe said That air traffic controllers who report to work will be paid. Regarding Reductions in Force (RIFs), DOT has been clear for months: Safety-critical positions – including air traffic controllers – are and will continue to be exempt from any Reductions in Force (RIFs).”

In a written statement, a TSA spokesperson said of the unpaid employees: “It is unfortunate that they have been put in this position due to political gamesmanship. We hope that Democrats will soon realize the importance of opening the government.”

Duffy suggested Thursday on Fox Business News that foremen and other workers who don’t come to work during the shutdown will be fired. “If we have a small, persistent subset of controllers that don’t come to work, and they’re the problem kids…if we have some people who aren’t as dedicated as we need them to be, we’ll let them go,” Duffy said.

One air traffic controller described working conditions this week as “broadly similar” but with “an undercurrent of fear that the officers in charge will use this as an excuse to decertify our union and take away all bargaining rights.”

Air traffic workers know that accusations of coordinated activity and sickness, or informal work actions that could violate long-standing bargaining agreements with the government, are especially risky right now, as federal officials threaten the status of public sector unions. Trump administration It ended suddenly TSA workers’ collective bargaining agreement in March, before a court initially blocked the move in June. Workers worry that absences, even when they are needed, could have long-term consequences for their union, and thus for their working conditions.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association did not respond to WIRED’s request for comment. But a pop-up on the federation’s website states that it “does not endorse, support, or condone any Federal employees who engage in or support coordinated activity that negatively impacts the capability” of the National Airspace System.

Jones, the TSA agent and union leader, says his group will not organize sick leave cases. But he says employees may have to report if a lack of pay means “they don’t have the means to commute to work.”

“We are sick and tired of being Washington’s political pawns,” Jones adds.