The head of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association has hit out at Donald Trump for asking staff to work unpaid.
In a post to Truth Social yesterday, Trump warned those who did not return to work following the end of the government shutdown would be punished. The president warned those who did not return to work immediately would have their pay "substantially docked" and some could even be replaced by "true patriots".
Trump took to Truth Social and wrote, "All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially 'docked.' For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the 'Democrat Shutdown Hoax,' I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person for distinguished service to our Country.
"For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU. You didn’t step up to help the U.S.A. against the FAKE DEMOCRAT ATTACK that was only meant to hurt our Country.
"You will have a negative mark, at least in my mind, against your record. If you want to leave service in the near future, please do not hesitate to do so, with NO payment or severance of any kind!"
Nick Daniels, the President of the NATCA, called the lack of pay for workers "un-American" and shared how some air traffic controllers had resorted to selling plasma during the government shutdown. The NATCA head said several employees were even having to DoorDash in their off-hours to make ends meet.
Daniels said, "No American should ever be forced to work without a paycheck. To not pay someone for the work that they have performed is un-American, and failing to pay that workforce that keeps our sky safe is not acceptable and it is not sustainable."
Despite the government reopening, it may be some time before flight schedules are back to their pre-shutdown numbers. A statement from Airlines for America suggested the number of flights cannot "immediately bounce back to full capacity" and that there may be "further impacts" on those traveling in the next few weeks.
Their statement reads, "Airlines’ reduced flight schedules cannot immediately bounce back to full capacity right after the government reopens. It will take time, and there will be residual effects for days. With the Thanksgiving travel period beginning next week and the busy shipping season around the corner, the time to act is now to help mitigate any further impacts to Americans."