Local air traffic controller details government shutdown struggles
Air traffic control specialist Cesar Cordero has two young children.
As the record-long government shutdown enters its fifth week, and the possibility of missing another paycheck looms, Cordero knows he needs to tighten his belt financially.
“W e’ve been through these before, but nobody expect to break records in such a dubious way,” Cordero said. “My wife and I, we’ve sat down, we’ve discussed our finances and it’s definitely put stress on our home life.”
Cordero is the vice president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) El Paso chapter.
“Morale has been definitely affected by this negatively. People don’t know when their next paycheck is going to come,” he said.
Cordero said there are about 30 air traffic controllers in El Paso. It’s a job that’s 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“W e have to be 100 percent, 100 percent of the time. The American flying public expects no less,” Cordero said. “W e have taken an oath to uphold that safety measure. Everyday that the government shutdown comes down, it definitely erodes at the fabric of safety that we can provide.”
Cordero and a group of about 100 NATCA members met with lawmakers last week in Washington.
“They definitely know our issues. When we sit down with our congressmen, congresswomen, our senators, and they understand how it’s affecting us and they still don’t come together to end this government shutdown, it’s a little worrisome.” Cordero said.
The White House said President Donald Trump will make an announcement on Saturday at 1 p.m. regarding the border and the government shutdown.
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