Saying a Bush administration scheme to impose a contract, with pay cuts, on the nation's 16,000 air traffic controllers could cause "a potential crisis" in U.S. skies, the National Consumers League joined the fight by the controllers' union for a better pact.

"For several years, aviation stakeholders and consumer advocates warned of a potential staffing crisis in the nation's air traffic control towers. The contract submitted to Congress by FAA Administrator (Marion) Blakey not only brings us closer to realizing that crisis, but actually sets up a situation to encourage it," NCL President Linda Golodner wrote to congressional leaders on April 13.

"Quite simply," the FAA's contract plan "jeopardizes the safety of America's aviation system by potentially sparking a massive wave of air traffic controller retirements. Under the proposal, veteran eligible controllers are better off retiring" than working, Golodner warned. Citing figures from the controllers' union, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, she noted one-fourth -- 4,000 -- can retire next year.

FAA leader Blakey, a Bush administration political appointee, has launched a publicity campaign to get the GOP-run Congress to let it impose its contract on NATCA. Blakey says bargaining is at an impasse. Talks broke down March 31.

NATCA denies impasse has been reached. It enlisted Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., to push a bill demanding mediation and, if needed, binding arbitration of the dispute. Its real objective, says NATCA President John Carr, is to get FAA back to the bargaining table. NATCA also enlisted other unions, including AFA-CWA and the Air Line Pilots. Their leaders also warned of the dangers of understaffed control towers.

"We offered to meet the FAA's stated goals and they said no. We offered $1.4 billion in taxpayer savings and the FAA still said no. We received bipartisan support for an amicable resolution, and still the FAA said no," said Carr after the talks halted.

"And now, because the FAA has chosen an ideological battle over fairness and safety, we're facing a desperate situation where one in four controllers will be penalized for staying on the job. More than ever, it's time for Congress to act now to protect the safety of the flying public," he added.

FAA's submission of its contract to Congress puts lawmakers "in a position to demonstrate?your commitment to the safety of our skies," Golodner said April 13. "You can do nothing, in essence authorizing the massive staffing shortage to begin. Or you can act to bring the contract up for debate, ensuring these issues can be publicly and fairly debated, and resolved to address the potential crisis," she warned.

This article was written by Press Associates, Inc., news service. Used by permission.

For more information
Visit the National Air Traffic Controllers Association website, www.natca.org