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April 10, 2006

Air traffic controllers protest contract offer

Providence's air traffic controllers today announced plans to launch a multi-million dollar ad campaign to protest the status of contract negotiations with the Federal Federal Aviation Administration.

Providence's controllers issued a statement condemning the FAA's recent rejection of a contract offer that would have saved taxpayers $1.4 billion. Unless Congress intervenes, the controllers warn, the resulting contract would include a "drastic pay cut," causing one in four air traffic controllers to retire.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association is subsidizing the ad campaign, aimed at "educating the public about the dangers of the FAA's actions" -- the reduction in staffing, NATCA says, leaves fewer controllers to guide planes in Providence and around the country.

The FAA ended contract talks late last week, after the NATCA union rejected its latest offer, which was more than $200 million better than its previous proposal.

Congress now has 60 days to review the FAA’s proposal and NATCA’s objections. By statute, the FAA is authorized to implement its proposal if Congress does not intervene.

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 12:15 PM | Permalink

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