The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is considering cutting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and its workforce cut amid concerns over air safety after the most fatal crash near Washington, DC last month.
In a statement, Reported by BloombergNATCA, a union representing aviation safety experts, said it “analyzes the effectiveness of reported federal employee layoffs on aviation safety, the National Space System and our members.”
A late-night email on Friday informed probation workers that they had been fired from the FAA. One air traffic controller said the affected workers included employees employed in maintenance of FAA radar, landing and navigation assistance.
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy defended the labor cuts, part of the Trump administration's efforts to reduce government and reduce costs, saying the cuts have no impact on the safety of the country's airways. Ta. He said fewer than 400 have been fired from the agency's “amazing” 45,000 employees.
In a statement, Duffy said air traffic controllers were not part of the terminations and previously sought to be hired despite federal cuts.
For more information, Hill reaches out to Natca.
In January, an American Airlines flight collided with a Black Hawk helicopter, killing more than 60 people in Washington, DC, and causing the worst US air accident for more than 20 years.
Worries about the busy airspace near the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport have been growing in recent years as helicopter traffic near the airport continues to rise as more flights are scheduled.
The firing is part of a federal restructuring under plans to cut federal spending by the Trump administration and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. Government departments have seen the workforce be reduced, primarily through probation employees who are less time in their position.
Natca said Region X employees, including engineers, aircraft certified specialists, staff support specialists and aviation technology systems specialists, were affected by the fire.
