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To: cc: Subject: |
MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR |
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Dear Fellow Employee: As you know, following the events of September 11, 2001, security at our Nation's government facilities was increased. The FAA increased security at our buildings and facilities, including over 300 staffed air traffic control facilities, such as air traffic control towers, in accordance with our own security orders. In the short term, these security steps included the immediate hiring of additional guards to secure the facilities. Over the last several months, we have replaced most of these guard services by substituting increased physical security, i.e. improved fencing, video cameras, and better access controls. In addition to these unexpected security costs, the FAA has faced other unbudgeted costs this fiscal year, such as higher contract weather and telecommunications charges, higher technician employment, and the higher than expected government-wide pay raise. Together with the security costs, the total of these unexpected costs was over $200 million. Most of this impact has been on the Air Traffic Services (ATS) organization. ATS has taken cost cutting measures to reduce this shortfall. We have already identified offsets of about $90 million, including a total freeze on non-controller and non-maintenance hiring and reductions to travel, training, supplies and contracts. Unfortunately, these offsets are not enough. We are facing a shortfall of about $100 million. Because of the way in which our Operations account is structured, we do not have the flexibility to share these costs across the FAA. Rather, each line of business and staff office must assume its own costs. The President's emergency supplemental request to the Congress proposed that the FAA be allowed to transfer $100 million from our Facility and Equipment account and from the Airport Improvement Program (ALP). At this time, it is unclear when final action on the emergency supplemental will happen. As a result, we need to put into place further budgetary restrictions and to prepare for the possibility of furloughs within the ATS organization. Should the supplemental funding requested not materialize, the FAA would have to furlough all employees funded through the ATS Operations account, potentially from five to eight days at the end of the fiscal year. The impact on the aviation system would be felt throughout the Nation during the summer travel season with the airlines and other airspace users experiencing significant delays and service disruptions. We have certain statutory and contractual obligations to fulfill before we can furlough individuals. Today, July 12, we began the process by formally notifying the leadership of the unions that represent employees funded through the ATS Operations account of the possibility of furloughs. In carrying out any furlough, we will follow all procedural requirements contained in any collective bargaining agreement, where applicable, or in our Performance Management System. I hope that Congress will complete its work on the supplemental appropriation and these actions will not be necessary. However, because we are already into the final quarter of the fiscal year, our options to deal with this shortfall become limited. By raising the prospect and planning for furloughs now, we can preserve some flexibility to minimize any disruption to the efficiency of our national air transportation system. Through additional broadcast messages and our VOICE team, I will continue to keep you up-to-date on developments as we progress over the next few weeks. I appreciate your continued support and dedication.
Jane F. Garvey |
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