Posted on 10/13/2013 11:29:20 AM PDT by BulletBobCo
With the federal government shut down, air traffic controllers learned Friday that they'll be working without a paycheck until lawmakers start paying the bills again.
“We have a stressful job, this just adds to it,” said 26 year veteran air traffic controller Greg Colyer.
Colyer says after working an 80 hour pay period was stunned to see on his statement Friday that he had only been paid for 56 hours; right up until midnight October 1st.
He's worried what will happen if the shutdown stretches through the next pay period.
“In 2 weeks if congress doesn't pass a budget we're just going to get an I.O.U.” said Colyer
Coyler was one of many air traffic controllers who stressed their commitment to safety Saturday.
“We're dedicated professionals and we're going to go work every day and do our jobs like we're supposed to do. It's just this puts a little bit extra stress on us,” said Coyler.
Passengers flying Saturday were stunned to learn the air traffic controllers who guided their planes were working for free.
“If shutdowns are the way of the future, if the government can't make it work, then they need to think of certain classes of individuals that are exempt, and continue to get paid, and air traffic controllers being one of them,” said Justina Lee, who flew into Oakland from Orange County.
The air traffic controllers were informed that they would be paid when the shutdown is over, but Coyler said that they’re worried that some will not be able to cover their bills if the shutdown stretches too far.
Shut down Reagan, BWI and Dulles.
The members of congress are being paid. They should get NOTHING when there’s no budget.
“”Passengers flying Saturday were stunned to learn the air traffic controllers who guided their planes were working for free. “””
They are not working for free. They will be paid in full.
so you’re saying... if people take home little to nothing from a week of work, it will increase their stress and increase the odds they walk off the job?
whoa!
that’s almost like taxing the f*ck out of ppl so they take home after an 80 hr week as much as the tards eating EBT food & playing xbox all week
Average pay over $120,000.
I have a better idea. Privatize those functions.
Not a fun situation; well even if they blame Republicans, at least they are forced to look at the government now. I could chide Republicans for having done too little and waited for a rope a dope moment such as this. Good is stronger than evil but it has to be exercised, good won’t stuff itself down your throat if you don’t want it.
It must be tough to not make ends meet with a paycheck in six figures. Last shutdown I had to work as an essential personnel and got paid later, it was only a week shutdown. The ones that did not work got an extra week of vacation. What a rip off.
Along with No Strike or Slowdown contracts for critical societal functions.
I am concerned that somebody that stupid is an air traffic controller. I guess he has forgotten what happened the last time he worked when the government was shutdown. Either an idiot or a drama queen.
Ten years ago that would be correct. It's closer to $98,000 today. It takes about 3 years of training before they are on their own. During the training period, they are bringing in about $39K.
I wonder if their creditors are taking the same permissive view of their bills? "Sure, we know you'll pay us eventually! Meanwhile, we'll just set aside that old Mortgage for now." I bet the grocery store is the same way.
And they're living paycheck-to-paycheck?
And it's surprising to anyone that the US government is $17,000,000,000,000.00 in debt?
I call BS on this! No affected essential employees, required to work for IOU’s, were unaware of their situations! Prior to 10/1/13 all vacations and time off were canceled and they were required to attend a meeting where they were presented documents outlining their options. They could continue to perform their duties and await the full refunding of all back pay at the end of the shutdown or refuse to work, be reclassified nonessential and possiblylose the pay for the time they are gone.
No one now on the job was”sstunned” by the half paycheck! They are all very aware of the deal!
obama owns this.
He is using the absence of pay to piss off the American people.
Only non essential people have been sent home, there is no reason to not pay anyone still on the job.
I don’t believe this guy didn’t know. Our agency, at least, made darn sure everybody knew what the pay situation was, for those who stayed on the job and those who were furloughed.
I even got a phone call at home from one of the few still working to remind me that I would only get half a check this payday. Shouldn’t have been a surprise.
They are giving us letters to give to our creditors explaining the situation if we need it. For what that’s worth.
You beat me. :-)
You’re right, we all knew.
I hope there is some forbearance going on. It would be good business to work something out the the people on furlough. That’s good for things like mortgages and stuff, but how are these folks getting food on the table? They aren’t on SNAP.
And they earn it
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