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HR 4332 97th Congress House

Air Traffic Controller Act

Official title: A bill to amend title 5 of the United States Code, to promote public safety by encouraging the employment of highly qualified air traffic controllers, by estab… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to amend title 5 of the United States Code, to promote public safety by encouraging the employment of highly qualified air traffic controllers, by establishing a salary classification system, by establishing a reasonable maximum number of weekly work hours, by establishing an adequate retirement plan, and for other reasons.

Introduced: July 30, 1981 See on congress.gov
Transportation and Public Works Air trafficAviationCivil service compensationCivil service employment
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Civil service retirementCollective bargainingCollective bargaining in governmentFederal employeesFederal employees and officialsGovernment employee unionsHours of laborLabor and EmploymentLabor unionsPosition classificationSalariesSick leave
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This bill died when the 97th Congress ended
It never became law before the 97th Congress (1981–1982) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 4, 1981
Unfavorable Executive Comment Received From GAO.
Aug 6, 1981
Referred to Subcommittee on Civil Service.
Aug 6, 1981
Referred to Subcommittee on Compensation and Employee Benefits.
Jul 30, 1981
Referred to House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service.
Jul 30, 1981
Introduced in House
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 Latest action November 4, 1981

Unfavorable Executive Comment Received From GAO.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Air Traffic Controller Act of 1981 - Redefines the terms "air traffic controller" and "controller," for purposes of civil service provisions, to mean air traffic control specialists of the GS-2152 series, excluding management officials.

Establishes a workweek of four consecutive eight-hour days for controllers.

Directs the Office of Personnel Management to issue regulations providing that: (1) a controller shall be eligible for full retirement after 20 years of service as a controller actively engaged in the control of air traffic; (2) payment of the controller's retirement annuity shall commence within 30 days after the retirement date; and (3) the controller shall qualify for vested rights in the retirement program after five years of service.

Declares that controllers shall accrue one day of sick leave for each biweekly pay period.

Grants the controllers' exclusive representative the right to bargain collectively with their employer concerning wages, hours, and other conditions of employment.

Establishes a salary classification system for controllers. Provides for differential payments for hours worked during a night shift, weekend, or an assignment as an on-the-job instructor. Exempts the salary of an air traffic controller from provisions limiting the pay of Federal employees.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 2
D
Hoyer, Steny H.
Maryland · Jul 30, 1981
 D
Schumer, Charles E.
New York · Jul 30, 1981
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4332: Air Traffic Controller Act. 97th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/97-HR-4332/
MLA
"H.R. 4332: Air Traffic Controller Act." 97th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/97-HR-4332/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4332, 97th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/97-HR-4332/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4332: Air Traffic Controller Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/97-HR-4332/)
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