After months of uncertainty and concerns over an unstaffed air traffic control tower at the San Carlos Airport, contract negotiations have finalized and the airport will remain fully staffed, officials announced Wednesday.
Staffing at the air traffic control tower became a concern in late January after the tower was almost indefinitely unstaffed, and subsequent contract negotiations intended to mitigate the situation moved slowly.
The San Carlos Federal Contract Tower is operated by a private company that adheres to the Federal Aviation Administration’s standards and regulations.
“Communities surrounding airports and airline travelers across the country rely on air traffic controllers to keep them safe,” U.S. Rep. Kevin Mullin, D-South San Francisco, said in a press release. “This news is a relief to many in my district and I will continue to stay engaged with the FAA and local partners to ensure this solution is a lasting one.”
Mullin said he has worked to “make sure that safety and fairness remain paramount in air traffic control staffing decisions.”
“I am pleased to hear that the FAA has been able to resolve contract negotiations and ensure the San Carlos Airport continues to remain fully staffed with highly-skilled air traffic controllers,” Mullin said.
The FAA awarded the new contract for manning the tower to Robinson Aviation, a company based in Oklahoma, that was supposed to be in effect by Feb. 1.
However, controllers resigned after the proposed employment contract had significantly lower pay than it was with the former contractor. When negotiations were reopened, progress to come to an agreed upon pay moved slowly, but pressure from Mullin and San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller on the federal organization ultimately resulted in a fully-staffed tower.
“This is great news for public safety on the Peninsula, and we will continue to stay vigilant to ensure everything remains on track,” Mueller said in the press release.
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Murder for Two Read moreMurder For Two
Dirk van Ulden said:
John Baker said:
Dirk van Ulden said:
Dirk van Ulden said:
Dirk van Ulden said:
Hey Terence - please ask easygerd if he takes any deductions on his tax returns. After all, if he does, he would short change other tax payers.
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