The Federal Aviation Administration is reporting short staffing at air traffic control centers as the government shutdown extends into its second week. According to Hollywood Burbank Airport officials, the air traffic control tower was temporarily unmanned Monday, October 6, grounding dozens of flights and causing widespread delays. Normal operations resumed the following day.  

While the DOT reports a high number of sick calls, the Transportation Secretary did not give an exact cause. However, the FAA warns of more disruptions at the Nation’s airports due to staff shortages because of the government shutdown.  

Air Traffic Controllers are considered essential government employees. They are required to work during the shutdown but are not currently being paid. Organized work actions, like strikes or sick-outs, are illegal. Tuesday, the Trump administration said furloughed workers may not be guaranteed their back pay, even though President Trump signed the 2019 Government Employee Fair Treatment Act to provide retroactive pay.