http://www.mercurynews.com/localnewsheadlines/ci_8074241?nclick_check=1FAA SAYS STAFF LEVEL SUFFICIENT
By Connie Skipitares
Mercury News
Article Launched: 01/25/2008 03:05:08 AM PST
The labor union representing air traffic controllers, including those at Mineta San Jose International Airport, on Thursday said that staffing shortages at air towers across the country could lead to mistakes endangering public safety.
The Federal Aviation Administration immediately countered, saying air facilities are properly staffed and that the National Air Traffic Controllers Association is making the charge to pressure the agency to resume labor talks. Negotiations broke off in 2006 and the FAA later imposed its own work rules under which controllers now work.
The union made the charges about staffing shortages at a news conference in Sacramento.
"This is politically motivated," FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said. "The union is attacking the FAA at every turn to pressure us to reopen negotiations."
As far as going back to labor talks, Gregor said, "We don't intend to. It would cost taxpayers $400 million a year."
Steve Hefley, president of the Northern California local of the NATCA, contends that staffing shortages have led to eight incidents over Northern California skies in recent months in which aircraft flew too close to one another. The incidents did not reach a level that caused alarm among passengers or the public, he said. Controllers, he added, perform too many double shifts because of shortages, which can compromise safety.
FULL story at link.