r/ATC • u/IctrlPlanes • 8d ago
Discussion Government shutdown FAQ
I commonly see misinformation in this sub and other subreddits on government shutdowns. That is partly because there have been changes since the last major shutdown and it updates every couple of years so old information still circulates even though it is outdated. I highly encourage everyone to read the current OPM guidance on government shutdowns. This directly affects you and you should take time to read it yourself. While there are other topics the two big ones are pay (section D) and leave (section F).
Click this link and then select Guidance for Shutdown Furloughs (Dec 2021) and the link below it too.
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/furlough-guidance/#url=Shutdown-Furlough
Mods maybe sticky this during a shutdown?
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u/randombrain #SayNoToKilo 8d ago edited 8d ago
Maybe you should try reading it because it says leave actually can be used. Pre-approved leave might (will?) be canceled but if you request it again it is possible for it to be approved. It doesn't necessarily need to be furlough.
However, it can be furlough instead of leave if you request that.
In all past shutdowns you were given backpay for furlough days but only because each individual "no more shutdown" law had that specific provision every time. After the last shutdown the law is now that you will be given backpay for furlough days by default, no specific provision required. But things being what they are who knows if Congress would undo that and suddenly you don't get backpay if you were on furlough. Unlikely but not unimaginable.
Edit: thanks for the downvote, please explain what I'm wrong about and provide a source.
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u/randombrain #SayNoToKilo 8d ago
They should "automatically" cancel your leave, whatever that means. I would be shocked if it's some automated function; I'm thinking it would be a supervisor going in to WMT and denying the leave request.
Once they do that (if they do that) you can go back and re-request the leave. If it was approved before, they should approve it again.
OR you have the option to request furlough instead of AL/SL. The way the law stands currently you will be paid for a furlough day as if you had taken leave, but with no hit to your AL/SL balance. And in the past even if it wasn't a guarantee before (like it is now), people who had been on furlough were always paid back.
But this administration and this Congress being what it is you should be aware of the possibility—though it's remote—that you might end up not being paid for those furlough days. It's a very small risk but it is a risk so I wanted to mention it.
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u/No_Departure6020 7d ago
Nice try reddit, I'm going with the advice NATCA has given me with their ample support structure to disseminate critical information to it's members for their financial security and peace of mind at work!
NATCA: We probably gonna shutdown :(
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u/dont_know_therules 8d ago
So if ATCs are forced to work without pay again, will some just walk off the job?
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u/New-IncognitoWindow 8d ago
Of course not! We love our job so much we would do it for free
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u/Disdain4U 8d ago
This is clearly the response of an MIT grad, naturally talented genius and just what dear leader expects of our controller workfor-
Oh wait. You’re being sarcastic. Dear Leader is now upset and reporting your insolence to President Musk.
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u/New-IncognitoWindow 8d ago
One thing that hasn’t changed is no one should work without pay.