Trump Calls Air Traffic Controllers Back To Work
1 week ago
President Donald Trump on Monday demanded air traffic controllers return to work as travelers endured another day of flight cancellations, which the administration ordered to manage staff shortages during the government shutdown.
Trump's comment came after the U.S. aviation system has suffered serious disruptions in recent days as air traffic controller absences soared while they work without pay. Some are absent as they need to work second jobs or cannot afford child care.
An airline trade group said 1.2 million customers on Saturday and Sunday had flights delayed or canceled due to air traffic issues.
Threatening to curtail the pay of any controller who did not return to work, Trump said he would award those who have not taken time off during the 41-day shutdown $10,000 bonuses and would welcome the resignations of the rest.
"All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially 'docked,'" Trump wrote on social media. "REPORT TO WORK IMMEDIATELY."
Even before the shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration was about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of targeted staffing levels. Many had been working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks.
Officials said it was unclear how the White House could deny pay under the controllers' union contract once the government reopens, as Trump threatened, or how the president would pay for the proposed $10,000 bonuses.
"I don't know - I'll get it from someplace," Trump told Fox News late on Monday.
Trump's comment came after the U.S. aviation system has suffered serious disruptions in recent days as air traffic controller absences soared while they work without pay. Some are absent as they need to work second jobs or cannot afford child care.
An airline trade group said 1.2 million customers on Saturday and Sunday had flights delayed or canceled due to air traffic issues.
Threatening to curtail the pay of any controller who did not return to work, Trump said he would award those who have not taken time off during the 41-day shutdown $10,000 bonuses and would welcome the resignations of the rest.
"All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially 'docked,'" Trump wrote on social media. "REPORT TO WORK IMMEDIATELY."
Even before the shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration was about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of targeted staffing levels. Many had been working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks.
Officials said it was unclear how the White House could deny pay under the controllers' union contract once the government reopens, as Trump threatened, or how the president would pay for the proposed $10,000 bonuses.
"I don't know - I'll get it from someplace," Trump told Fox News late on Monday.
