Vote of No Confidence
We, the undersigned no longer have confidence in Marion Blakey's ability to run the United States' aviation system (Federal Aviation Administration).
Under the leadership of Marion Blakey the FAA has descended into the abyss of low morale that only previously existed prior to the strike of 1981. Despite consistent alarms raised by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association about the coming wave of retirements that will cripple the Aviation system, Ms. Blakey has never come up with a cogent, comprehensive plan for dealing with this looming staffing crisis. In fact, with her short sighted attempt to circumvent the collective bargaining process and impose unsafe, unfair and unproductive work rules she has virtually guaranteed that this staffing crisis will occur. Not only will it occur, it will occur years before the FAA has the infrastructure to deal with it .
Although a strike is not a possibility we are concerned that a large wave of controller retirements will have a similar effect on the National Aerospace System. During the aftermath of the strike numerous restrictions were put on air traffic (miles-in-trail restrictions, ground delay programs, no IFR for general aviation aircraft, etc.). In this modern world of razor thin profit margins for airlines and soaring fuel prices these types of restrictions would have a much more deleterious effect.
Under Ms. Blakey's command the management of the FAA has consistently, and egregiously breached the Collective Bargaining agreement with no regard for the rule of law. She has instilled a hostile work environment of fear and intimidation by meting out excessive punishments for the smallest infractions up to and including several wrongful terminations. This hostile environment, coupled with the already dangerously low staffing levels in a lot of facilities creates an unprecedented level of stress and distraction which we fear will only be recognized by Ms. Blakey in hindsight during a fatal accident investigation.
Ms. Blakey has consistently misrepresented the facts with regard to the Aviation Trust fund in such a way as to make it appear that fee based operations are the only way to save the system.
Due to these few examples of the myriad reasons for our concern we no longer have any confidence in Ms. Blakey's ability to lead the Federal Aviation Administration.
