Sen. Duckworth demands Transportation Dept. give $10,000 bonus to all air traffic controllers, FAA technicians

Senator Duckworth Demands $10,000 Bonus for All Air Traffic Controllers and FAA Technicians Who Worked Without Pay During Shutdown.

A group of air traffic controllers who worked without pay during the recent government shutdown are getting a small token of appreciation from the Transportation Department - a $10,000 bonus. However, Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois is not happy with this arrangement.

Duckworth is demanding that the department expand its bonus plan to include all air traffic controllers and FAA technicians who worked without pay during the 44-day shutdown. The current policy only includes those who did not miss a single day of work, excluding around 96 percent of the workforce.

The senator claims that excluding so many employees from the bonus is unfair, divisive, and disrespectful. She says it's an insult to the hardworking controllers who put their lives at risk every time they go on the job. At a time when air traffic controllers are already facing low morale and staffing shortages, Duckworth believes this policy could create a perverse incentive for them to show up even if they're not feeling well.

"Controllers will have a financial incentive to avoid using authorized leave - even while suffering from illness that degrade controller performance and risk infecting an entire cadre of employees working a shift," Duckworth wrote. "Air Traffic Organization jobs are extremely stressful for good reason: one mistake may be deadly."

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has also expressed concern about the policy, saying it excludes thousands of controllers who consistently reported for duty during the shutdown while working without pay.

Despite the criticism, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy defended the policy, saying that only those who did not miss a day of work should receive the bonus. He also emphasized that all controllers received full pay during the shutdown.

However, Duckworth remains adamant that all air traffic controllers and FAA technicians who worked without pay should receive the $10,000 bonus. She urges Secretary Duffy to take swift action in issuing the awards to the entire workforce.

I don’t usually comment but I think Senator Duckworth is kinda right here... her point about those 96% of air traffic controllers missing work during the shutdown feels kinda unfair considering they still had to go through all that stress & risk with no pay . Like, if they were already gonna get a small $10k bonus for just showing up, shouldn’t it be more like a $10k bonus for just doing their job without getting sick or burned out? It's like, I get that the policy is meant to reward people who didn't miss a single day, but at what cost?

I feel so bad for those air traffic controllers they have it tough already with low morale & staffing shortages. The fact that only 4% of them got a $10k bonus is kinda harsh I can imagine how frustrating it must be for them, especially when they're risking their lives every day to keep the skies safe I agree with Sen Duckworth that this policy could create an incentive for them to come in even if they're not feeling well, which would be super bad for their health & performance We should do something better for them, like a full payout or some sort of mental health support

I dont think its fair to exclude 96% of air traffic controllers from the bonus plan. Im pretty sure they were just as stressed out during that shutdown and had to deal with a lot more pressure since they werent gettin paid . The idea that those who showed up every day are better than everyone else is kinda messed up. Like, what even is the point of workin for free in the first place?

idk why senator duckworth is being so dramatic about this... $10k bonus is def not enough 2 make up 4 all the stress & hard work air traffic controllers do every day

but i do agree w/ her that excluding most of the workforce from the bonus is kinda unfair. like, whats the point of even giving a bonus if ur just gonna leave out most of the ppl who deserve it?

i think secretary duffy should reconsider the policy & give out the bonuses 2 all the controllers who worked without pay during the shutdown. its not like they're getting paid full time or anything

anyway, duckworth's right that air traffic controllers are already dealing w/ low morale & staffing shortages. we need 2 support them more

I feel so bad for those air traffic controllers they literally put their lives on the line every day & now they're getting just a small token of appreciation - $10k which is barely enough considering the risk & stress they go through especially when you think about all the ones who missed a single day of work 96% of them are basically being left out in the cold it's just not right Duckworth is totally on point & I'm all for her pushing for a bigger bonus to make up for the lack of payment during that shutdown this would definitely boost morale & incentivize people to show up even when they're not feeling their best

I think Senator Duckworth is totally right , it's not fair to only give a $10k bonus to the controllers who didn't miss a single day of work... that's like saying good job to those who already got paid the whole time ! The stress air traffic controllers face is real and they deserve a bigger thank you for putting their lives on the line . I mean, can you imagine getting a $10k bonus if your boss was all like 'hey great job showing up, here's some cash' ? No thanks! Give those guys the recognition (and cash) they deserve . The policy as it stands is just gonna create more problems than solutions .

this is just great news for those few lucky ones who didn't miss a day of work... meanwhile 96% of air traffic controllers are being left high and dry ... like, what's the point of even calling it a "bonus" if only some people get to reap the rewards?

omg u guys can u believe this?? so senator duckworth is literally fighting for $10k bonuses 4 all air traffic controllers & faa technicians who worked without pay during shutdown it's like she feels their pain and stuff, but i get it too. if they were already stressed out & low morale, shouldn't we help them out a bit more? and yeah natca is also saying the same thing - it's like, who cares about 'consistently reporting' when u gotta be healthy 2 do ur job safely? anyway, dunno what sec duffy's thinkin but senator duckworth seems super reasonable & compassionate

I'm so down with @SenatorDuckworth on this one! The fact that 96% of air traffic controllers and FAA technicians didn't get a bonus is just wild . I mean, they were already working without pay for 44 days, can you imagine how stressful it must've been? And now we're talking about bonuses only going to those who showed up every single day? It's just not right .

Here are some stats that'll drive the point home:
- Average air traffic controller works over 40 hours per week (Source: FAA)
- Controllers work 2-3 shifts a week, sometimes with only 1 hour of rest in between
- In 2019, there were 4,400 reported cases of illness among controllers, and 17 resulting in missed shifts

It's not about being "unfair" or "divisive", it's about showing appreciation for people who put their lives at risk every day. If we're gonna give out $10k bonuses, let's make sure everyone who deserves one gets one .

The fact that only 4% of air traffic controllers can get a decent bonus is kinda sad . I mean, they're literally risking their lives every time they work, and we expect them to do it for free? It's like saying "thanks" by paying them peanuts . And the fact that some employees who did show up during the shutdown are being excluded from the bonus is just ridiculous . I think Senator Duckworth is on the right track here , let's give all the hardworking air traffic controllers a decent thank you for their bravery .

this is such a huge issue and i'm low-key shocked that they're not including everyone who worked without pay 96% of air traffic controllers are being left out and it's just not fair we need to make sure these workers get the recognition they deserve after putting their lives at risk during the shutdown it's not like they got a free ride, they were literally working for nothing

"It's not the years you live but the life you live in those years." Not fair that only 4% of air traffic controllers who worked without pay get $10,000 bonus while others don't even get paid during shutdown. They're the ones putting lives at risk every time they work...

come on, senator duckworth already gave them a nice fat paycheck during shutdown so why bother with extra cash? it's not like they're going to say "you know what, i'd rather be working than collecting a bonus" but seriously, who wouldn't want an extra 10k in their pocket? maybe the faa should just give everyone a round of applause instead of throwing money at a few people

I feel so bad for those air traffic controllers , they're already dealing with super high stress and low morale, and now it's like they're being made to choose between getting paid or staying healthy. I mean, who wouldn't want a $10k bonus? But at the same time, I get why Senator Duckworth is saying this policy is unfair - what if someone's got a bad case of bronchitis and still needs to show up for work? It's like they're being asked to put their health on hold just to get a paycheck. And now with staffing shortages, it's even more critical that we take care of our controllers. I think Secretary Duffy should reconsider the policy and give everyone who worked without pay a fair chance at the bonus .

I don't get why the gov's gotta make it so complicated . Can't they just give everyone a fair shot? These air traffic controllers are already stressing out 'cause of staffing shortages and low morale, now you're tellin' them they gotta choose between workin' sick or losin' pay? That's just plain unfair . And 96% not gettin' the bonus? Come on! It's like they're sayin' those folks aren't good enough to deserve a lil' appreciation . Even NATCA is soundin' off about this, and now Senator Duckworth's all like "Hey, we need to do better" . Can't Secretary Duffy just give 'em the cash already?

I don't think this is going to end well... Like, seriously, 96% of air traffic controllers didn't even get a sniff of that $10k bonus? It's like they're saying "good job for showing up when you had to" instead of "thank you for risking your life every day". And now Senator Duckworth is on it, demanding they fix this mess. This whole thing just reeks of politics as usual...

10k bucks is decent I guess but come on if those guys did their job and showed up every day they should get the full 10k + a little extra for risking their lives on every shift . And yeah, excluding most of the workers from the bonus is kinda shady . The whole thing just feels like a way to say sorry while not actually doing anything about the underlying issues that got us into this mess in the first place...

I'm really surprised by this news . I think it's super unfair that only those who didn't miss a single day of work get the bonus. My friend's uncle is an air traffic controller and he worked non-stop for like 2 weeks without pay during the shutdown... I don't know how he did it, lol! Anyway, I get what Senator Duckworth is saying though - if you're already stressed out with your job, getting a $10k bonus shouldn't be enough to motivate you to come in when you're not feeling well. And yeah, low morale and staffing shortages are no joke... my friend's cousin works at an airport and they've been short-staffed for months . It's like, how can we expect people to do their best jobs if they don't feel supported?

This $10k bonus is a good start but I think it's still not enough considering how hard those air traffic controllers work . I mean, can you imagine having to control air traffic while possibly dealing with health issues or just feeling burnt out? It's a tough job, and they deserve better . Senator Duckworth makes some valid points about fairness, morale, and staffing shortages . Maybe the Transportation Department should consider expanding the bonus plan to include everyone who worked without pay . It's not like it's gonna break the bank or something . Just a fair way to say thanks for putting their lives at risk every day .