Tens of thousands of FAA employees will return to work next Monday, after being furloughed for two weeks, as a result of an impasse in the U.S. Congress.
About 70,000 airport construction workers across the country were off their jobs as Republicans in Congress failed to approve new federal aviation legislation and spending for the agency. As a result, a number of projects nation-wide had to be halted. Another 4,000 workers directly connected to the FAA were also going without pay during the impasse.
Republicans had tacked onto the FAA spending extension bill, provisions that would cut subsidies for air service to three small airports, two of which are in Senate Democrats’ states. The other provision in the bill is over a rule aimed at rolling back efforts of airline workers to unionize, which Republicans introduced.
Commenting on the breaking of the deadlock between Democrats and Republicans, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood said that while he is pleased that workers are returning to their jobs, he reminded that the extension only last until September 16.
“There is still work to do so we can get a long term FAA bill,” LaHood said. “But I am optimistic that, with so many jobs on the line in these tough economic times, Congress can work out its differences.”
