US air traffic controllers urged to stay on job without pay Amid government shutdown

The union representing over 13,000 US air traffic controllers has urged its members to remain on the job despite the ongoing partial government shutdown, which requires them to work without pay.

In a message to members on October 6, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) emphasised that any form of job action is illegal and could result in termination, Caliber.Az reports per Reuters.

“Participating in a job action could result in removal from federal service,” the union warned. 

“It is more important than ever that we rise to the occasion and continue delivering the consistent, high-level of public service we provide every day,” the union said. “We cannot stress enough that it is essential to avoid any actions that could reflect poorly on you, our union, or our professions.”

Air traffic controllers aren’t the only aviation workers affected. Approximately 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees are also required to continue working without pay.

During the 2019 government shutdown — the longest in US history at 35 days — absences among controllers and TSA officers increased significantly as paychecks were missed, leading to longer security lines and slowed air traffic in major hubs like New York. That disruption ultimately pressured lawmakers to reach a resolution.

At the time, NATCA said many air traffic controllers had reached “the breaking point,” while then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned the shutdown was “pushing our airspace to the breaking point.”

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to face a staffing crisis. Despite $12.5 billion in funding approved by Congress in July to begin a five-year overhaul, the agency remains roughly 3,500 air traffic controllers short of its staffing target. Many controllers are currently working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks to keep up with demand.

By Sabina Mammadli