Durbin Meets With Illinois Air Traffic Controllers As They Continue To Work Without Pay During Shutdown

Durbin Meets With Illinois Air Traffic Controllers As They Continue To Work Without Pay During Shutdown

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) met virtually with Toby Hauck, the President of Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and Illinois members from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) as they work to keep the aviation system travel is disrupted during the shutdown. During the shutdown, more than 10,000 air traffic controllers across the country are working without pay. The shutdown already has exacerbated dire air traffic controller shortages, leading to flight delays and cancellations around the country. As the shutdown continues, this would further impede Americans' travel plans and pose additional challenges in flight safety.

"Air traffic controllers already work one of the most stressful jobs in America-often 10 hour days for six days per week, while 90 percent of towers in the country are understaffed. And now they're expected to report without pay while the government is shutdown," Durbin said. "In a job that requires split-second and life-saving decisions, it is dangerous to add more stress and fatigue into the equation. Our air traffic controllers deserve better."

-30-