The Nation - News from Jan. 28, 1988

A fledgling union representing the nation’s air traffic controllers called for the hiring of 3,000 more controllers. The National Air Traffic Controllers Assn., which claims nearly 5,000 members since it was certified last June, said air traffic is up 25% since 1981 while the number of controllers has been reduced by 30%. John Thornton, NATCA’s national organizer, also said the Federal Aviation Administration should restore reporting immunity to the controllers. Reporting immunity bars retaliation against controllers who report mistakes in handling airline traffic.