FAA delays most of Congress-approved raise for air traffic controllers
The Federal Aviation Administration has granted only a 1% pay increase to air traffic controllers, withholding the remaining 2.8% approved by Congress.
In the spending package that ended the Homeland Security shutdown, Congress approved a back-dated 3.8% salary increase for air traffic controllers, allocating $140 million for the purpose. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford has so far implemented only a 1% raise, saying the law gives him discretion to first achieve better workforce scheduling and utilization. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin have written to Bedford, labeling the withholding of the remaining 2.8% as disrespectful and counterproductive, especially given the controllers' chronic understaffing and overtime.
They contend the FAA is leveraging the pay raise to force one outlet Air Traffic Controllers Association into accepting longer work hours, which could undermine retention and aviation safety. The dispute arises amid a broader punitive stance toward controllers by the Trump administration, including threats of punishment for sick leave during shutdowns and recent firings at LaGuardia Airport. The senators warn that squeezing more utilization from an overburdened workforce may increase safety incidents.
Why it matters
Delayed pay raises risk controller morale, retention, and aviation safety.
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