Fired FAA Workers Reinstated

FAA
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Key Takeaways:

  • 132 probationary aviation safety technicians, inspectors, and maintenance workers will be reinstated and receive back pay after a judge ruled their Feb. 14 dismissal was illegal.
  • The Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) union hailed the reinstatement as a "win for public safety" and a critical workforce, emphasizing the demoralizing effect of haphazard job eliminations.
  • Letters initially given to the employees, stating their job performance was "not in the public interest," will be removed from their employment records.
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The Professional Aviation Safety Specialists union says 132 of its technicians, inspectors and maintenance workers will return to work Thursday after a judge ordered their reinstatement last week. The workers, all probationary employees, were let go Feb. 14 but their dismissal, along with thousands of other probationary employees in various other government departments, was found to be illegal. They will be paid for the month’s work they missed.

“This is a win for public safety and for a critical workforce dedicated to the FAA’s mission,” said PASS President David Spero. “Haphazardly eliminating positions and encouraging resignations creates a demoralizing effect on the workforce.” When they were let go, the government gave them letters saying their job performance was “not in the public interest” and those letters will be removed from their employment records.  

Russ Niles

Russ Niles is Editor-in-Chief of AVweb. He has been a pilot for 30 years and joined AVweb 22 years ago. He and his wife Marni live in southern British Columbia where they also operate a small winery.
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