CTLR EXPRESSED CONCERN REGARDING FACILITY STAFFING POLICIES; CLAIMING SAFETY IS BEING COMPROMISED.

Narrative

ON DEC/SUN/06; FAA MGMNT FAILED TO ADEQUATELY STAFF THE ARPT TFC CTL TWR (ATCT)/TERMINAL APCH CTL (TRACON). AT AN ABSOLUTE MINIMUM THERE SHOULD BE 5 ATC SPECIALISTS (ATCS) ON DUTY. THAT PUTS 2 CTLRS ON DUTY IN THE TWR CAB; 2 CTLRS ON DUTY IN THE RADAR ROOM AND 1 CTLR ROTATING BTWN THE 2 OPERATIONAL QUARTERS TO PROVIDE NECESSARY BREAKS. ON THIS DATE FAA MGMNT DECIDED TO STAFF THE ENTIRE FACILITY WITH ONLY 3 CTLRS UNTIL XA00 AM THEN WITH 1 ADDITIONAL PERSON UNTIL THE EVENING SHIFT ARRIVED. THIS WAS DONE TO AVOID THE PAYMENT OF 8 HRS OF OVERTIME. WHAT THIS MEANS TO THE TAX-PAYING FLYING PUBLIC IS THAT THEIR SAFETY WAS PUT AT RISK BY HAVING ONLY 1 CTLR ON DUTY IN EITHER THE TWR CAB OR THE RADAR ROOM AT TIMES TO SAVE A FEW DOLLARS. AFTER A RECENT ACCIDENT ELSEWHERE; THE FAA WAS QUICK TO POINT OUT THAT IT HAD ISSUED A MEMORANDUM TO ALL FACILITIES THAT THERE WAS TO BE 2 CTLRS IN THE CTL TWR AT ALL TIMES TO ENHANCE SAFETY. SO I ASK; WHY IS IT THAT LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AFTER THAT TRAGIC ACCIDENT; ZZZ IS ROUTINELY WORKING WITH ONLY 1 CTLR IN THE TWR CAB AND WORSE YET ONLY 1 CTLR IN THE RADAR ROOM? WITH MAJOR CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY AT ZZZ AND NON STANDARD TAXI RTES BEING UTILIZED EVERYDAY; I BELIEVE THAT THE FAA IS BEING CRIMINALLY NEGLIGENT WITH REGARDS TO ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO THE SAFETY OF THE FLYING PUBLIC BY SHORT STAFFING THIS FACILITY. LCL ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THIS TRAVESTY; STILL NOTHING IS ACTIVELY BEING DONE TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. IF THE FAA IS GOING TO SHORT STAFF ATC FACILITIES; THEY NEED TO START PAYING OVERTIME TO CORRECT THE SHORTFALLS. PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE AT RISK AND I CAN KEEP QUIET NO LONGER.