I don’t know exactly how it came to be, Simon, but controllers are deemed essential employees. Because of that, the Feds require them to show up for work.
So many are working 10-hour days, 6 days a week, and won’t be paid again until the shutdown ends. Their union has told them they must report for work. Duffy said the other day that calling in sick to get time off will be considered dereliction of duty and that the controllers who try this technique - people he deemed “Problem Children” - will be terminated. Controllers staging a sick-out are considered to be staging an illegal job action. I called it being stuck between “A Rock and a Hard Spot <https://jetwhine.com/2025/10/between-a-rock-and-a-hard-spot/>" Rob Mark Rob Mark, *MRAeS*, & CEO, *CommAvia* <http://www.commavia.com>, *Creators of leading-edge media for the aviation industry.* 847-864-9780 (office) 847-644-1575 (mobile) 2400 Grant Street Evanston, IL 60201 On Mon, Oct 13, 2025 at 15:29 Simon Brown via Mifnet < [email protected]> wrote: > I have a question about US ATC shutdowns. I understand that if the budget > or whatever is not approved then the controllers don’t get paid, yet they > are still expected - mandated even - to continue working. Is this correct? > If so, how can it be that someone can be expected to work if they don’t get > paid, even if there is a “no strike” agreement enforced in some federal > contracts? If I had bills to pay for my house, car, kids’ food etc, and my > contracted money isn’t coming in, then I need to find another job quickly, > even if it’s just a temporary driving or labouring job to rake in some cash > to keep the wolf from the door. I’d argue they’re not going on strike, > they’re just fulfilling their half of a legal contract, ie no money = no > work. > > > > Or have I misunderstood this? > > > > Simon > > > > *From:* ERIC Smith via Mifnet <[email protected]> > *Sent:* 13 October 2025 18:54 > *To:* Mifnet <[email protected]> > *Cc:* ERIC Smith <[email protected]> > *Subject:* [Mifnet 🛰 74482] Sorry Kristi > > > > ....Eric > > > > > https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2025/10/13/kristi-noem-shutdown-video/ > > > > Airports in Phoenix, Portland, Seattle and other cities have declined to > display a video in which Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem blames > congressional Democrats for the government shutdown and related travel > delays, citing the “political nature of its content,” according to local > authorities and news reports. > > > > “We continue to urge bipartisan efforts to end the government shutdown and > are working to find ways to support federal employees working without pay > at SEA during the shutdown,” a Port of Seattle spokesperson said in an > email Monday... > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Revised: 20250507 > > You are receiving The Mifnet because you requested to join this list. > > The Mifnet is largely a labor of love, however the infrastructure isn't > exactly cost-free. If you'd care to make a small contribution to the > effort, please know that it would be greatly appreciated: > https://wardell.us/url/mifbit > > All posts sent to the list should abide by these policies: > > 1) List members acknowledge that participation in Mifnet is a > privilege--not a right. > 2) Posts are always off the record, absent specific permission from the > author. > 3) The tone of discussions is collegial. > 4) Posts are expected to be in reasonably good taste. > 5) We discuss ideas and not personalities, and we don't speak ill of other > Mifnet members. > > * The Mifnet WEB SITE is: > https://www.mifnet.com/ > > * To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list at any time please visit: > https://lists.mifnet.com/ > OR: SEND THIS MESSAGE via email: > [email protected]?subject=leave > > * Send Mifnet mailing list POSTS/SUBMISSIONS to: > [email protected] > > * You may reach the person managing The Mifnet at: > [email protected] > > * Please consider the DIGEST version of The Mifnet, which consolidates all > list traffic into 1-3 > messages daily. See instructions at: > https://lists.mifnet.com/ > > * Manage your personal Mifnet SUBSCRIPTION at: > https://lists.mifnet.com/ > > * For a list of all available Mifnet commands, SEND THIS MESSAGE via email: > [email protected]?subject=help > > * View The Mifnet LIST POLICIES and PRIVACY POLICY at: > https://mifnet.com/index.php/policies > > * View instructions for Mifnet DELIVERY PROBLEMS at: > https://mifnet.com/index.php/delivery-problems > > * View The Mifnet LIST ARCHIVE at: > https://lists.mifnet.com/hyperkitty/list/[email protected]/ >
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revised: 20250507 You are receiving The Mifnet because you requested to join this list. The Mifnet is largely a labor of love, however the infrastructure isn't exactly cost-free. If you'd care to make a small contribution to the effort, please know that it would be greatly appreciated: https://wardell.us/url/mifbit All posts sent to the list should abide by these policies: 1) List members acknowledge that participation in Mifnet is a privilege--not a right. 2) Posts are always off the record, absent specific permission from the author. 3) The tone of discussions is collegial. 4) Posts are expected to be in reasonably good taste. 5) We discuss ideas and not personalities, and we don't speak ill of other Mifnet members. * The Mifnet WEB SITE is: https://www.mifnet.com/ * To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list at any time please visit: https://lists.mifnet.com/ OR: SEND THIS MESSAGE via email: [email protected]?subject=leave * Send Mifnet mailing list POSTS/SUBMISSIONS to: [email protected] * You may reach the person managing The Mifnet at: [email protected] * Please consider the DIGEST version of The Mifnet, which consolidates all list traffic into 1-3 messages daily. See instructions at: https://lists.mifnet.com/ * Manage your personal Mifnet SUBSCRIPTION at: https://lists.mifnet.com/ * For a list of all available Mifnet commands, SEND THIS MESSAGE via email: [email protected]?subject=help * View The Mifnet LIST POLICIES and PRIVACY POLICY at: https://mifnet.com/index.php/policies * View instructions for Mifnet DELIVERY PROBLEMS at: https://mifnet.com/index.php/delivery-problems * View The Mifnet LIST ARCHIVE at: https://lists.mifnet.com/hyperkitty/list/[email protected]/
