Aviation safety and airport delays continue because of understaffing

David Spero, President of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss two ongoing contract negotiations with the Federal Aviation Administration with one that has resulted in wins for his members. He also discussed a staffing problem in the industry that led to him being questioned during a hearing on Capitol Hill.

Aviation safety inspectors have been in contract negotiations with the FAA for the past two and a half years. In July, following federal mediation, the inspectors finally earned a new tentative agreement. Spero discussed several of the wins in the contract, including pay and leave benefit improvements. According to Spero, the tentative agreement is being provided to members for review before the ratification vote begins in three weeks.

Meanwhile, there is still an ongoing negotiation with the FAA over a new contract for air traffic system specialists. These specialists ensure all the automation and electronic equipment and data provided to air traffic controllers are working. These negotiations have run concurrently with the aviation safety inspectors for the past year and a half. Spero is hopeful that negotiations should be more effective now that there is only one contract being negotiated.

Recently, Spero testified before the House Transportation Infrastructure Committee Aviation Subcommittee. He was asked about a ground stoppage at Chicago O’Hare International Airport during his testimony. As Spero explained, a problem with radar could not be fixed because there weren’t any technicians with the right skill set or experience to fix the issue scheduled to be on shift, the second time it occurred this year.  This wasn’t because someone called in sick, but instead a greater issue, insufficient staffing, he said. In both cases, an off-duty technician was called in, incurring overtime, to fix the issue. Until the FAA and Congress support hiring more technicians and do a better job preparing for attrition, Spero said that more of these situations will occur.

For more from PASS and Spero, please listen to the show above.