NAATS Press Release:

SUBJECT: UNION FILING AGE DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT AGAINST FAA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wheaton, MD-- The National Association of Air Traffic Specialists (NAATS) announced today they have filed a class action complaint against the FAA for age discrimination. The complaint identifies 1,935 Controllers adversely affected by the FAA�s recent decision to contract out flight service to Lockheed Martin. NAATS has protested the entire outsourcing process and has been committed to protecting employee�s rights and benefits. The complaint is on file with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for the next 30 days, and then will be filed in U. S. District Court.

The agency even admitted that a main reason for its decision to outsource flight service was the �retirement eligible workforce�. �It has been a long and laborious fight for us,� stated Kate Breen, NAATS President. �We have been forced into a legal battle over our Federal jobs and retirement benefits that our members have worked for and earned and are now being denied.�

Flight Service Controllers are crucial to the safe and secure function of the nation�s airspace and national security. During every national crisis Flight Service has stepped up and provided professional, safe and exemplary service. During the barrage of hurricanes across the southeast last year, the FAA closed air traffic facilities in the region with the exception of Flight Service. Many of these Controllers were directly affected by the damage of the hurricanes, yet they remained on duty and performed their jobs.

The government federalized employees who check passengers and baggage at airports. Why then does the government allow an experienced and dedicated workforce to be abandoned? The FAA�s vision to save money at the expense of its employees� livelihood is despicable and cannot be allowed. These employees will lose thousands of dollars invested in a pension that the FAA now refuses to honor. This has been done before in Corporate America; it was called �Enron�.

Attorney Joseph D. Gebhardt of Gebhardt & Associates is representing NAATS in this case.
 

Kate Breen, President

National Association of Air Traffic Specialists (NAATS)

11303 Amherst Avenue, Suite 4

Wheaton, MD 20902-3902
Phone (301) 933-6228
Fax (301) 933-3902