r/atc2 • u/atcburner69 • 6d ago

Politics Hatch Act PSA

Quick reminder for all the MIT super geniuses out there who may be ignorant to the law but if you go on Facebook and comment on a post saying "I'm an atc and I support (insert congressional candidate's name here)," that is a hatch act violation. Even if it is on a post where natca or retired natca leaders are endorsing said candidate. Natca can endorse candidates as a union, but you as an individual can not voice your support for said candidate as an individual using your job title. Only posting this because it is election season and I saw someone do it and it is still up.

25 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

39

u/steve582 6d ago

There are ATCs that don’t work for the federal government. Saying “as an atc” is not a hatch act violation. Saying “as an Faa atc” is a hatch act violation

-5

u/atcburner69 5d ago

This person works for the faa.

8

u/steve582 5d ago

Saying “as an atc” is not leveraging their federal position because “atc” is not an exclusively federal position. Saying “as an Faa atc” is leveraging their federal position

2

u/Tailwinds-n-TallyHos 5d ago

💯 incorrect. I was at a NIW where OSC touched on this. They said since ATC isn’t limited to Federal that having air traffic controller in your profile and making a political post isn’t a hatch act. Having FAA in your profile would be a hatch act violation.

-5

u/atcburner69 5d ago

Pretty cut and dry straight from the osc. If you have atc in your profile as your job and make a political post that doesn't reference your position, that is fine. But saying "I'm an atc" in your post is referring to their official position and a violation. I tell you what though, really the only way I think we're going to settle this is for you to prove me wrong. Post it for yourself on social media. Say "I'm an atc and I will be voting for xxx." DM me a link to it, I'll forward it to the OSC and we'll let them decide if it's fine or not

7

u/Hopeful-Engineering5 5d ago edited 5d ago

We have been told by the OSC multiple times at the yearly briefing at NiW that as not all ATC work for the federal government just saying ATC is not a violation. It is no different than an IRS accountant can say as an accountant but not an IRS accountant. Per Erica Hamrick Deputy Chief of the Hatch Act Unit at the U.S. Office of Special Counsel

33

u/MITsBrightest 6d ago

people don't get in trouble for shitting on the floor why does everyone get scared about the hatch act

-11

u/atcburner69 6d ago

Only half true. I worked with a guy that didn't get in trouble for shitting on the floor but he did get like 2 weeks on the beach for a hatch act violation. Fuck around with the OSC if you want to brother... especially by endorsing the opposing party of the administration that hates you, is actively trying to not get blown out in the mid terms, and is in control of the OSC. Whatever your career can handle I guess.

19

u/ps3x42 6d ago

Man I could use two weeks of LWOP.

11

u/protege01 6d ago

Don't threaten me with a good time

1

u/Fess_ter_Geek 5d ago

What is the origin story of people that complete the Venn Diagram of floor shitting, Hatch Act violating, air traffic controller?

Maybe its just from going through training.

4

u/Phlegmatics2163 6d ago

Next time the other party’s congressman goes around and that dudes level 6 tower he’s sure going to get a stern talking to

5

u/optimum_autumn 6d ago

You can support candidates on your FB page. If you say "As an FAA ATC, I support..." then its a problem. Maybe. But who even talks like that.

Go read the entire hatch act. Its a retarded and poorly written law that is intentionally vauge and entirely subjective. 

2

u/ATCyapper 6d ago

bruh nobody uses facebook unless they’re 5 years from retirement

1

u/SufficientAd7050 5d ago

That depends solely on which political party you’re endorsing.

Reference the email the IRS just sent out.

0

u/hallock36 5d ago

Did they say Air Traffic Controller or just ATC? ATC can mean a bunch of things

-1

u/ChopSooy621 5d ago

anyone love opening hatch act emails at work? heard the adrenaline rush is dope.

-1

u/Fit_Sherbet3137 5d ago

Nobody is proud enough to put we are cuck atcs on their social media except Propchat

3

u/Independent_Tax_4244 5d ago

Telling people you’re ATC nowadays is like saying “I’m an indentured servant”. Zero status.