The U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, threatened on Tuesday to take 'measures' against air traffic controllers who are absent from their jobs because they are not receiving a salary due to the government shutdown, the longest in history. Duffy made these statements at a press conference after President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he intends to cut the pay of those controllers who are not going to work and give a $10,000 bonus to those who do show up for their posts. 'I am concerned about their dedication. We have not yet made a decision, but we are going to analyze those controllers who have repeatedly decided not to show up for work,' Duffy said from Chicago airport. 'I am trying to hire more air traffic controllers, not to get rid of them, but if we have controllers who are systematically not doing their job, we will take measures,' he added. At the same press conference, the secretary stated that the control towers experienced fewer staffing problems on Tuesday because most workers 'see the end of the shutdown approaching and feel more optimistic,' after the Senate advanced a resolution to reopen the Administration. The federal government shutdown due to lack of funds, which at 42 days is the longest in history, is particularly impacting air transport, as thousands of controllers who are not receiving a salary are absent every day citing health reasons. The shortage of controllers forced the Trump Administration to order a 10% reduction in air traffic at the country's 40 main airports, which has resulted in a wave of flight delays and cancellations. More than 1,200 planes were grounded on Tuesday and another 3,200 experienced delays, as Americans' concern grows with the Thanksgiving holidays approaching at the end of November. After several weeks of failed attempts, the Senate on Monday, with the support of a group of rebellious Democrats who joined the Republicans, approved a budget extension to reopen the Administration, a project that now must be approved by the House of Representatives and signed by Trump. 'I am concerned about their patriotism.'
