Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed confidence that air traffic controllers will soon receive substantial back pay once the government reopens, as he spoke to reporters Tuesday at Central Wisconsin Airport in Mosinee. “Our controllers could be paid within 48 hours of the government opening,” he said, emphasizing that payments would arrive quickly. “I think it’s a 70% payment. But they’ll get a big lump sum of what they’re due, which is helpful. They don’t have to wait another two weeks to be paid.”
Duffy discussed the toll the federal shutdown has taken on the aviation sector and its workforce, criticizing Senate Democrats for blocking the continuing resolution that had been approved by the House. After 41 days of gridlock, enough senators finally crossed party lines to advance the measure, clearing the path for government operations to resume.
While optimistic about restoring regular flight schedules, Duffy cautioned that some residual delays could continue as systems and staffing levels return to normal. “If we have the controllers showing up … I think we’re going to be back to regular flight schedules,” he said. “Again, I can’t control the weather, you know that. I can’t control if there’s issues on aircraft, that’s mechanical. But with regard to controlling the airspace, we’ll be up and running.”
He acknowledged that many air traffic controllers have faced financial hardship throughout the prolonged shutdown. “Also on this day is the day that the controllers don’t get their second paycheck. And as I talked to controllers, it was interesting,” he said, noting that veteran employees were slightly more prepared. “They were telling me, you know, ‘A lot of us can maybe navigate one pay period.’ It’s not pleasant, but they have a little pot of money for a rainy day fund,” Duffy said, “but a lot of the new controllers didn’t.”
The timing of the government’s reopening, he added, is especially critical for those struggling to meet expenses. “They said virtually all of them can’t navigate missing two pay periods, which is a whole month of pay they’ve missed. So that’s a problem,” he said. “And that’s why this reopening of the government is so critical to happen right now.”
Despite the turbulence, Duffy commended airlines for cooperating with the reduced flight schedules that became necessary during the shutdown. He urged travelers whose flights were canceled to contact the Department of Transportation if they have not yet received refunds, assuring that the agency is monitoring such cases closely.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has recalled lawmakers to Washington, urging them to prepare for a swift vote on the new appropriations bill that will fund the government and bring the standoff to an end.
{Matzav.com}
