The National Air Traffic Controllers Association is the latest employee organization seeking redress for its members working without pay.
NATCA filed a lawsuit in Washington DC and is seeking an expedited hearing for a temporary injunction against the government.
As essential; employees, air traffic controllers were not furloughed and have received no pay since the shutdown began three weeks ago.
NACTA says it violates the Fifth Amendment and the Fair Labor Standards Act for not paying at least the minimum wage.
It is claiming arrears in pay and liquidated damages.
"Every day I’m getting calls from my members about their extreme financial hardships and need for a paycheck," said Hydrick Thomas, head of the American Federation of Government Employees’ TSA Council.
"Some of them have already quit and many are considering quitting the federal workforce because of this shutdown."
The suit also notes a ‘failure to promptly pay overtime to NATCA members in violation of the FAA.’
The American Federation of Government Employees also filed a lawsuit two weeks ago on behalf of TSA security personnel.
