Media Contact
Adam Allington
Thousands of flights into or out of Newark airport have been delayed or cancelled over the past seven days. Last week the Newark team temporarily lost radar and communications with aircraft when computer screens went dark for 60 to 90 seconds. Officials say the headaches are caused by the temporary closure of a busy runway as well as long-standing issues with the FAA’s staffing and technology infrastructure.
Arthur Wheaton
Director, Western NY Labor and Environmental Programs
Art Wheaton, director of Labor Studies at Cornell’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, says there has been incredible pressure on air traffic controllers going back to the Reagan administration.
Wheaton says:
“The PATCO strike under Ronald Reagan was over stress and antiquated equipment. The Newark cancellations are also being caused by stress, antiquated equipment and workers taking leave of absences caused by stress. This coupled with bad weather has led to terrible working conditions at Newark.
“The computers and software for airports have been woefully under budgeted for upgrades for decades. The new Trump administration did not help things by reducing funding and cutting many air traffic controllers (some were rehired because they knew it was a mistake).
“When Newark’s air traffic controllers lost all communications with aircraft under their control, they felt completely helpless and overwhelmed. The contracts allow for stress leave up to 90 days (very similar to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD).”
