Log-in here if you’re already a subscriber
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s messaging for the nation’s air traffic control workforce shifted from exclusively supportive to also frustrated on Wednesday as the U.S. government shutdown now enters its ninth day.
“My message to the air traffic controllers who work for DOT is ‘Show up for work,’” Duffy said during a Wednesday afternoon Fox News appearance. “You’ve got a job to do.”
That’s a departure from Duffy’s comments over the last week, which have solely highlighted the difficulties faced by controllers working during the shutdown without pay; ahead of a press conference on Oct. 6, the Secretary even bought pizza for staff at Newark Liberty’s International Airport. He echoed many of those supportive sentiments Wednesday, but added that controllers are “rebelling” ahead of their first expected partial paycheck next week.
Continue Reading