Exclusive | Air traffic controllers' union throws wrench in Sean Duffy's bid to boost hiring: sources
Josh Christenson
WASHINGTON — The top union for air traffic controllers is hampering Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s plans to boost hiring by penalizing those who want to work beyond retirement age, The Post has learned.
Duffy is offering cash bonuses of up to 20% of annual salaries for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic controllers eligible to retire but younger than the mandatory age of 56 — and hoping to retain even more through through the age of 61 via exemption waivers.
“They’re fantastic, they’re great at their jobs, they get to an eligible point of retirement and they take that retirement,” Duffy, 53, told reporters May 1.
The top union for air traffic controllers could be throwing a wrench into Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s plans to boost hiring by penalizing those who want to work beyond their retirement age, The Post has learned. Getty Images
“Why don’t we try to incentivize those really well-experienced air traffic controllers? Let’s incentivize them to stay. Let’s get them to stay on. Not only do we have that experience, but they can also help train up those younger, newer controllers coming into their family.”
But the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has undercut the planned staffing blitz by threatening to punish any members who use waivers, according to sources familiar with the effort.
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https://nypost.com/2025/05/14/us-news/air-traffic-controllers-union-throws-wrench-in-sean-duffys-bid-to-boost-hiring-sources/
