ERIE, PA – Today, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) met with union representatives from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) and leaders at the Erie International Airport’s Air Traffic Control Tower to discuss tower operations, staffing and training, controller pay, working conditions, and upcoming technology and infrastructure improvements at Erie International Airport.
“Air traffic controllers have high pressure jobs with absolutely zero room for error. We need to recognize the importance of their work by investing in our airspace and giving them the resources and support they need,” said Senator Fetterman. “I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to hear from our air traffic controllers and union members at Erie Tower and learn more about all they do to keep Northwestern Pennsylvania’s skies safe.”
NATCA is the primary labor union representing 20,000 aviation safety professionals, including air traffic controllers, nationwide. The organization advocates for aviation safety, adequate staffing, workforce protections, and national modernization of air traffic control infrastructure.
As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation, Senator Fetterman is committed to aviation safety. During the 119th Congress, he joined his colleagues in unanimously passing the ROTOR Act to strengthen aviation safety technology standards. In September, he also joined his colleagues in passing U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth’s (D-IL) Aviation Medication Transparency Act and U.S. Senator John Hoeven’s (R-ND) John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act to improve Federal Aviation Administration medication guidelines and mental health access for air traffic controllers, respectively.
