Senior FAA officials accused of telling workers 'job security' at risk if GOP wins

Fox News ^ | 09/10/2012 | Judson Berger

[SeekAndFind]

Two federal agency supervisors allegedly warned employees earlier this year that a Republican takeover in Washington could threaten their jobs -- comments that some workers apparently took as guidance on "how to vote" and that one group claims may have violated federal law.

Nonprofit watchdog Cause of Action wrote a letter Wednesday asking the Department of Transportation's inspector general to launch a probe into the incident, involving senior officials with the Federal Aviation Administration. The incident occurred in May during a meeting at the FAA's Seattle office, according to the letter.

Emails obtained by FoxNews.com show one FAA employee recalling what John Hickey, deputy associate administrator for aviation safety, said at the meeting.

"I would not be able to quote Mr. Hickey (sic) exact words but what I took out of it was, if the conservative (Republicans) gain control of congress then the FAA could be looking (at) as much as a 15% cut in budget and we (may) be looking at furloughs. If the liberal Democrats take control of congress then we would be looking at a flat budget," the email said. "In short if the Republicans win office our jobs may be (affected) ... if the Democrats win office then our jobs would not be (affected)."

The recipient of that email then relayed the account, and others, to apparent higher-ups at the FAA. He said, "there seems to be some energy within the office as a reaction to Mr. Hickey's, inappropriate at best, comments and more than a few employees took umbrage that a person in such an elevated position in the agency would make those remarks.

"My understanding is that more than one employee's perception was that Mr. Hickey was essentially telling them how to vote if they wanted to keep their job," he wrote.

[Buckeye McFrog]

This is news? I am certain it goes on multiple times every day within every Federal, State, County, Municipal, or other government agency.

[txrefugee]

Turn about is fair play, If the government agencies are warning their employees that the GOP will cut their jobs, then business owners certainly can warn their employees that if Obama wins re-election, they will be cutting jobs.

[ontap]

I hope some of their jobs are at stake if Romney wins.....there’s too damn many of them!!!

[GeronL]

Every single part of the government is now part of the DNC

[my small voice]

I agree with this! Business owners should stick it back in their face with EXACTLY that.

Give notice to all employees that “if the Enemy of America is re-elected, I will probably have to lay off many of you because of additional taxes and Obamacare.” Just leave it at that.

[cripplecreek]

“Job security” is another one of those assumed constitutional rights that unionistas claim.

[FrankR]

There is way too much waste in government and regulatory jobs, drastic cuts need to be made...fast.

Scare tactics such as these are being used to squeeze out a few more votes for Obama, who - if he wins- will probably double the size of government in four years, or less.

These government workers are his private “army”, with one mission, to keep him in power, indefinitely.

For years we’ve heard about “lean” manufacturing, well it’s past time for a lean government too.

Most government offices have people falling over each other, with high salaries and low responsibilities.

They sit around thinking up more ridiculous and punitive regulations on people and businesses, relying on their “unions” to keep their posh jobs for them.

[KarlInOhio]

If the government agencies are warning their employees that the GOP will cut their jobs, then business owners certainly can warn their employees that if Obama wins re-election, they will be cutting jobs.

Maybe not. Didn't the Department of Labor warn defense contractors not to send out the required 60-day layoff warning notices for the expected budget sequestration on January 1? January 1, 2013 minus 60 days = right before the election. Can't have those notices going out then.

[Buckeye McFrog]

If Romney wins we need a MASSIVE slashing of the Federal workforce. 30, 40% or more. Entire agencies need to go.

Unfortunately I don’t believe Romney has that in him.

[Loud Mime]

Save the Sinecures!

[Dr. Ursus]

FAA managers at the Washington level have always been scumbags.They were cowards on 9/11,who hid behind locked door as not to have to make hard decisions that day!

[StAnDeliver]

SO BUSTED!