I’m sorry to have to say we’re inching ever closer to the government shutting down with no shimmers of a reprieve.
The following letter was sent to the VPs and FacReps during the last shutdown in 2018/2019:
Just learned that the DOT has directed the FAA that starting tomorrow, FAA is required to report absences due to sickness to DOT at core 30 towers, large TRACONs, and Enroute facilities by noon each day. It will include normal sick leave usage as a comparison.
I've offered to get our reps connected to the reporting process at the local level to provide some level of accuracy, but will keep you apprised.
Seems this is based on media reports of organized sick outs. I'm told it's not just FAA, likely TSA has been directed to do the same.
Dean lacopelli
What does this mean?
With the increased publicity of the shutdown and how it affects federal employees, it is imperative that ATC does not become associated with an en masse sick out or any kind of job action. Such action is a fireable offense. The above policy is a precursor for the DOT directing the Agency to start taking action on employees that are viewed as abusing sick leave or causing a job action. For the benefit of everyone when this shutdown ends, it is important that ATC is seen as stepping up to the plate and not falling down on the job. It will help everyone in the long run when Congress is determining if Furlough leave will be back paid. Articles like the ones about the TSA calling in sick are not helpful when it comes to public opinion of how we handled our duties during this Shutdown.
Please be mindful of expressing or sharing sentiments on social media that could be construed as a call for sick leave abuse. And please utilize unrecorded phone lines when calling into work.
While nearly 5 years old, there are still valid points in this email. To say being a political pawn is frustrating is an understatement, I know. This one will make too many shutdowns and FAA Reauthorization lapses to count and none of us are here as volunteers. But the fact remains we have the unique pleasure of serving in the most vital yet probably most thankless public servant jobs. Making things work in spite of adversity is a key tenant of being an Air Traffic Controller and I am thankful for the wonderful company I keep when I tell people what I do for a living.
We are also hearing rumors of over-zealous supes who are trying to tell BUEs that, “I cannot approve leave during a shutdown.” While semantically correct, there are no paid leave statuses during a shutdown, the CBA and all MOUs are still in effect. Your rights and entitlements are not suspended during this time.
Correction/clarification to my last email: I said, “We are hearing that there will be people converting leave to the appropriate code once we are in a paid status again, but I do not know precisely what that looks like.” Under the current law, we will get back pay for furlough days. That will hold true as long as that law doesn’t change.
Helpful links:
OPM Guidance for Shutdown Furloughs
FAA Furlough Resources Website
I know this has the potential to be extremely taxing on all of us but we will get through this and continue our legislative efforts to separate Air Traffic Control from the effects of government shutdowns.
Amy
