Lieberman Opposes Plan to Privatize Air Traffic Specialists

Lieberman Opposes Plan to Privatize Air Traffic Specialists

Over 50 Connecticut Union Jobs at Sikorsky Airfield at Risk

WASHINGTON - Senator Joe Lieberman today registered his strong opposition to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to privatize 2,500 air traffic specialist positions and to close 38 air traffic centers for private pilots nationwide. Air traffic specialists provide flight advisory and weather pattern information to private pilots, and ensure airspace for these aircraft remains safe. In Connecticut, the FAA plan could mean the loss of over 50 jobs and the transfer to Virginia of the regional hub now located at Sikorsky Airport in Stratford.

"Air safety is too important to be farmed out to the lowest bidder," Lieberman said. "Privatizing over 50 Connecticut air traffic specialist jobs and closing the regional hub in Stratford as the FAA proposes will not only mean lost pay, health care and pension benefits for experienced union workers who have earned these benefits. It could also mean Connecticut's skies become less safe, as critical services to private pilots are downgraded.

"For the sake of air safety and job safety, the FAA privatization plan must not fly," Lieberman said.

Lieberman is co-sponsoring legislation to block implementation of the FAA proposal.

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http://lieberman.senate.gov/newsroom/release.cfm?id=237368