President Donald Trump said Monday that he’s not happy with air traffic controllers who failed to work during the government shutdown, which caused tens of thousands of flight delays and cancellations for travelers because there weren’t enough controllers on duty. The president also offered a bonus of $10,000 to those who did show up to work during the 41-day government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history.
The post comes as Senate Democrats say they have reached a deal with Republicans to vote on a continuing resolution and reopen the government after Republicans agreed to hold a future vote on extending Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, subsidies.
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Trump’s statement
In a Truth Social post, Trump called on air traffic controllers to report back to work “NOW!!!” He threatened to reduce the pay of any controller who refuses to return to work and recommended a financial reward for those who continued working unpaid during the shutdown.
“For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the ‘Democrat Shutdown Hoax,’ I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person for distinguished service to our Country,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU. You will have a negative mark, at least in my mind, against your record,” he added.
Impact on flights and FAA operations
The government shutdown began Oct. 1, and air traffic controllers have received only one partial paycheck since then. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed last month that about 10% of controllers were calling out sick every day and that travel disruptions would worsen soon.
Because of staffing shortages and worker fatigue, the Federal Aviation Administration decided to slow operations for safety reasons and cut back the number of flights allowed at major airports by 10%.
On Monday, FlightAware tracked 21,220 total delays and 2,604 cancellations by 5 p.m. ET, with the most disruptions happening at Chicago’s O’Hare, New York’s LaGuardia and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson. Chicago was also affected by a snowstorm.
Union calls for end to shutdown
National Air Traffic Controllers Association President Nick Daniels encouraged the government to reopen. Daniels said Monday that air traffic controllers deserve to be paid even though there’s a government shutdown and that the union would cooperate with the Trump administration to resolve any issues related to the ongoing situation.
“Now let me be clear, not just air traffic controllers and aviation safety professionals or federal employees, no American should ever be forced to work without a paycheck,” Daniels said while addressing reporters Monday. “To not pay someone for the work that they have performed is un-American, and failing to pay that workforce that keeps our skies safe is not acceptable and it is not sustainable.”
The Senate is preparing to vote Monday evening on a deal to reopen the government. Should the Senate pass it, the House must also vote in favor before it’s sent to Trump’s desk for consideration.
