U.S. air traffic controllers to receive 2.8 percent pay raise

U.S. air traffic controllers are set to receive a 2.8 percent pay increase effective October 18, which will be retroactive to the beginning of the year. This agreement, approved by Congress, aims to address long-standing staffing shortages and high turnover rates within the workforce. More than 11,000 federal workers are expected to receive lump-sum payments in the low-to-mid thousands of dollars.

The deal includes labor reforms designed to modernize airspace utilization and improve safety. Key components of the agreement involve better timecard tracking, improved scheduling based on demand, and an overhauled transfer process to move controllers to areas of highest need. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that these changes are intended to fix outdated staffing practices and grow the workforce.

To combat the shrinking workforce, the federal government is also working to hire an additional 3,000 certified controllers. The FAA has previously sought to recruit individuals with high-level multitasking and problem-solving skills to manage the increasing complexities of air traffic.