Thursday, September 21, 2006
Air marshals discount account of widespread illness


The air marshal program began after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Federal Air Marshal Service on Wednesday slammed as "erroneous" and "irresponsible" a Washington Times report claiming that half the agency's workforce had been "sidelined" by on-the-job illnesses and injuries and implying the agency was indifferent to the health concerns of sky marshals.

The article said "nearly 2,100" air marshals had been grounded by ailments, and quoted an internal memo saying health problems were resulting in a "large amount of missed missions."

But a FAMS official said only 48 claimants remain off work while receiving workers' compensation benefits -- not affecting the agency's effectiveness or security, in general. The official did not know how many are working at ground jobs because of ailments.

And John Adler, vice president of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association -- the union that represents about 1,300 air marshals called the article "absolutely ridiculous." Medical issues did not even rank among the top five concerns expressed by members during a recent survey, Adler said.
Posted By Jeanne Meserve and Mike Ahlers, CNN America Bureau: 9/21/2006 09:59:00 AM ET | Permalink
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