October 15th, 2025 New England Bi-Monthly Regional Update
From Kevin Curtiss, NATCA New England RVP
NATCA New England,
I know you are reading this with the utmost frustration after not being made whole in your paycheck for the work you have done. On top of that, each day now brings the unfair stress of not knowing when you will be paid again.
Yesterday, NATCA began leafletting at airports in the eight top media markets around the country. Your situation, the family burdens, and the additional stress put on an already stressed system are being told.
Legislatively, NATCA has kept its ear to the pulse with things in The Capital. As soon as bipartisan legislation or conversations resume, NATCA will once again have a heavy presence to urge our Members of Congress to pass a bill that funds the government and ends the shutdown.
In the past, NATCA has had certified success in its voter voice and handwritten letter campaigns. NATCA has started a voter voice campaign, and it takes less than 30 seconds to send messages to your elected leaders in Congress. Read more about this campaign in Tim’s legislative update later in this email.
Also, I want to inform our members about resources for their mental health and well-being. NATCA has a Wellness Toolkit that can be found in the Shutdown Resources section of this email.
You have been put in an unfair and frankly cruel situation. I can’t say it enough: please take care of yourself. I assure you, despite the frustrations I’m hearing, NATCA is using every resource available to persuade members of Congress to end the shutdown.
HK
ARVP Update
From Jake Detwiler, NATCA New England ARVP, ZBW
As I write this update, many of you are now feeling the real impact of the government shutdown — directly in your bank accounts. Depending on your RDOs and schedules, as much as 25% of your pay (20 hours out of 80), plus any premiums or differentials, is still owed to you. Being shorted a quarter of your pay for work you’ve already done cuts much deeper than saying a paycheck is “only missing two days.” In another two weeks, if the shutdown continues, you’ll be shorted 100% of your pay. There are no words that truly capture the absurdity of this situation. It is cruel, unfair, and demeaning to ask you to maintain the highest professional standards — the same standards that keep the National Airspace System the safest, busiest, and most efficient in the world — with no guarantee of when you’ll be compensated.
As United States Civil Servants, we’ve all taken an Oath — the same Oath sworn by the members of Congress on Capitol Hill. The second-to-last sentence of that Oath reads: “…that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter.” While we wait for Congress to act, you continue to uphold yours — showing up, performing critical safety work, and keeping the National Airspace System safe and efficient, even without pay. Every NATCA member should take pride in that commitment and in their service to our country. When we took the Oath, the answer to “When do we get paid?” was bi-weekly, not eventually. Yet even as the rules change, your dedication and professionalism do not. Thank you for standing strong and continuing to serve with pride — even unpaid.
Amid the uncertainty of the shutdown, there is one positive development: the 2026 BWS and Leave (A32/24) negotiations are moving forward. Most NNE facilities are already bidding or will begin soon. As always, management arrives each year with a new agenda, but through sound reasoning, data-driven arguments, and steady advocacy, your NATCA representatives continue to push back and reach fair, balanced MOUs that both parties can sign.
These days, you are being required to perform highly skilled, safety-critical work in a 24/7, trillion-dollar industry with no idea when you’ll be paid for it. We know how heavy that burden is — emotionally, financially, and physically. Please take care of yourself and each other. Lean on your NATCA brothers and sisters, stay connected, and keep looking out for one another. When you’re at work, remember: do your job — nothing more, nothing less.
Legislative
From Tim Roig, NATCA New England Legislative Chair Alternate, Y90
We find ourselves once again in the midst of a government shutdown. As of today, we are on day 15, and our first partial paycheck was only deposited yesterday.
The National Legislative Committee (NLC) and National Executive Board (NEB) continue to coordinate on a daily basis, engaging directly with members of Congress and their staff. This shutdown has created an unnecessary and avoidable level of stress on our workforce, particularly given the already challenging staffing conditions we face across the system.
On September 19, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5371, which would have funded the government at current spending levels through November 21. The Senate, which requires a 60-vote threshold due to the filibuster rule, has yet to pass the measure. The bill has been brought to the Senate floor for a vote at least six times, with the closest margin being 55–45, still short of the required 60 votes. While the stalemate persists, please know that your NLC members and the Government Affairs Department continue to work tirelessly to advocate on behalf of all NATCA members and the vital role we play in maintaining the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System.
The Voter Voice Campaign remains active and is an essential part of our collective effort. If you have not already done so, please take a moment to visit the link and contact your members of Congress. The process takes less than one minute and ensures that your voice is heard on Capitol Hill.
On a more positive note, the Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 continues to make progress in the Senate. Although much of Congress’s focus remains on ending the shutdown, the bill continues to move forward. Some of the Senate’s language differs from the version previously passed by the House, and NATCA is carefully reviewing those changes to ensure we can continue to support the legislation.
We will continue to keep you informed as events develop.
Shutdown Resources
Be sure to check out NATCA’s Shutdown Resources Q&A page. The page is continually updated as new information or changes are received.
We know that government shutdowns cause extra stress and worry for our members. Please remember that NATCA has many wellness benefits available to you. Check out the Wellness Toolkit for information on resources such as CISM, EAP, OWCP, and more.
Click here to access the Wellness Toolkit on the NATCA website.
The NATCA Disaster Response Committee never shuts down!
No matter the storm, crisis, or challenge—they’re there for NATCA members 24/7.
If you’re affected by any sort of natural disaster or weather event, be sure to contact them for help!
Call anytime: 1-833-628-2237 or visit https://linktr.ee/drcnatca for more information about the DRC.
Now thorugh October 23, TGI Fridays will give away one free meal per day to air traffic control workers at 80+ U.S. locations while supplies last. (If the shutdown ends before October 23, the offer will end early.)
The offer is available at any U.S. location, including those located in an airport. Simply show a valid employee ID to take advantage of the offer.
Employees can redeem the offer while dining in at traditional TGI Fridays restaurants or for to-go orders at airport locations.
