According to an agreement announced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and a union on Friday, October 16th, thousands of American air traffic controllers will receive a 2.8% pay raise retroactive to January 1st.
The agreement has been approved by the United States Congress and will take effect on October 18th.
Air traffic controllers had previously received a 1% pay raise, with the remaining $140 million in raises contingent on the implementation of labor reforms.
The agreement reached by both parties includes tracking the work hours of air traffic controllers, aligning personnel with demands, and improving the deployment of air traffic controllers.
Airport management and union representatives in various locations will collaborate to establish shift rules based on expected workloads and operational needs to create more efficient air traffic controller schedules, ensuring an adequate number of staff to provide services during peak traffic periods.
The U.S. air traffic control system has long faced numerous issues, attracting attention due to various accidents and incidents.
The FAA has been working diligently to address the shortage of air traffic controllers. The job stress and unpredictability for air traffic controllers often lead to overtime work and six-day workweeks, resulting in high turnover rates.
Last May, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy called for billions of dollars to be invested in a thorough reform of the overburdened American air traffic control system. He also announced plans to raise the retirement age for all air traffic controllers, including increasing the mandatory retirement age from 56 to 61.
On April 10th this year, the FAA issued a recruitment notice for “next-generation air traffic controllers,” requiring applicants to possess excellent skills in playing video games, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
(This article is based on reports from Reuters)