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Washington Headquarters Press Release

FAA Requests Federal Mediator to Extend Contract Negotiations

WASHINGTON, DC – The following statement may be attributable to FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey:

As the first two weeks of mediated contract negotiations come to a close, the FAA continues to seek a voluntary labor agreement with its air traffic controllers. Today, the FAA requested that the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) extend contract talks for up to a week to allow around-the-clock negotiations in an effort to reach such an agreement. The FMCS agreed to continue talks into next week.

We are grateful for the support the FMCS has provided during these recent weeks and their presence has helped both sides continue to work through a variety of outstanding issues. While progress has been made over the last eight months, major provisions regarding pay and work rules remain.

These contract negotiations come at a critical time for our nation’s aviation system. The outcome will significantly affect the FAA’s ability to modernize its system to improve safety and capacity as well as to replenish its future air traffic controller ranks.