A Center Controller reported the Operations Manager would not comply with the Area's Supervisor request to terminate planned GPS jamming contrary to the facility SOP regarding GPS jamming.

Date: 2024-03 · Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing

Anomalies: atc-issue-all-types|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy|ground-event-encounter-ground-equipment-issue

Synopsis

A Center Controller reported the Operations Manager would not comply with the Area's Supervisor request to terminate planned GPS jamming contrary to the facility SOP regarding GPS jamming.

Narrative

Yet another serious safety issue; by the same OM I reported a couple weeks ago; due to not doing a 'Stop Buzzer' call as per our facility standard operating procedures; SOP. Yesterday we had GPS jamming in effect with multiple aircraft on headings; aircraft turning on their own about 40 degrees and weather up to about 33000 ft. The OS (Operations Supervisor) called the OMIC (Operations Manager in Charge) to ask to stop GPS jamming due to controller workload issues. The OM and the OS then had an offline; not recorded; conversation about the issue. The OM played the '20 questions' game with the OS and decided to not make the 'Stop Buzzer' call to the proponent. Again; I would like to reiterate from my last report; the OMIC does not make the final determination to 'Stop Buzzer;' the OS/CIC (Controller in Charge) does. The only reason why the OMIC is referenced in the SOP directive is because they have the phone numbers for the proponent; and they are required to report on the network when they make the call. A little while later another CIC called the OM for the same thing. The OM again played 20 questions with the CIC; asking 'is this really a safety issue.' The OM then had an offline; unrecorded conversation about the jamming. The OM ultimately stopped the jamming but not after a long period of time where controllers were overworked and overloaded. This was [a] very unsafe situation that lasted way too long due to OM's inactions.The OM's continued disregard for safety and the agreed upon facility SOP is going to get someone seriously injured or killed. GPS jamming is a serious issue and needs to be mitigated when warranted. The determination to stop jamming lies within the Specialties as per the SOP. The Specialties have the most up-to-date information on jamming effects. When an OS/CIC makes the call; jamming needs to be immediately stopped.Weather season for ZZZ [ARTCC] has begun; again; someone is going to get hurt. I recommend that the OM is counseled on this issue. If counseling is not effective; he should be removed from the OM position. The OM continues to make dangerous; overriding decisions that are not his; which are a danger to the flying public.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.