PRIA Logo™
Take the PRIA Score
Title 5 — Government Organization and EmployeesRelease 119-73

§3383 Determinations; review procedures

Title 5 › Part PART III— - EMPLOYEES › Subpart Subpart B— - Employment and Retention › Chapter CHAPTER 33— - EXAMINATION, SELECTION, AND PLACEMENT › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER VII— - AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS › § 3383

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

When the Secretary makes a decision about an air traffic controller, the controller must get a written notice that explains the decision and why. The notice must tell the controller they have 15 days after getting it to ask for reconsideration in writing. If the controller does not ask within 15 days, or the Secretary cancels the decision during those 15 days, the decision becomes final. If the controller asks for reconsideration and the Secretary does not cancel the decision within 15 days, the Secretary must set up a three-person review board right away: one person chosen by the controller, one from the agency chosen by the Secretary, and one from the Merit Systems Protection Board who will chair the board. The board looks at evidence for and against the decision and must issue its findings within 30 days and send them to the Secretary and the controller. The board can confirm or cancel the Secretary’s decision. Its decision is final and the Secretary must carry it out. This review is in addition to other legal appeals, but it is the only administrative remedy available inside the agency unless another law says otherwise.

Full Legal Text

Title 5, §3383

Government Organization and Employees — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)An air traffic controller subject to a determination by the Secretary under section 3381(a) or section 3382 of this title, shall be furnished a written notice of the determination and the reasons therefor, and a notification that the controller has 15 days after the receipt of the notification within which to file a written request for reconsideration of the determination. Unless the controller files such a request within the 15 days, or unless the determination is rescinded by the Secretary within the 15 days, the determination shall be final.
(b)If the Secretary does not rescind his determination within 15 days after his receipt of the written request filed by the controller under subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall immediately convene a board of review, consisting of—
(1)a person designated by the controller;
(2)a representative of the Executive agency in which the controller is employed designated by the Secretary; and
(3)a representative of the Merit Systems Protection Board, designated by the Chairman, who shall serve as chairman of the board of review.
(c)The board of review shall review evidence supporting and inconsistent with the determination of the Secretary and, within a period of 30 days after being convened, shall issue its findings and furnish copies thereof to the Secretary and the controller. The board may approve or rescind the determination of the Secretary. A decision by the board under this subsection is final. The Secretary shall take such action as may be necessary to carry out the decision of the board.
(d)Except as provided under section 3382 of this title, the review procedure of this section is in addition to any other review or appeal procedures provided under any other provision of law, but is the sole and exclusive administrative remedy available to a controller within the Executive agency in which such controller is employed.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

For definition of Secretary, referred to in text, see section 2109 of this title.

Amendments

1980—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 96–347, § 1(b), substituted “Secretary under” for “Secretary of Transportation under”. Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 96–347, § 1(c)(2), substituted “the Executive agency in which the controller is employed” for “the Department of Transportation”. Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 96–347, § 1(c)(3), substituted “within the Executive agency in which such controller is employed” for “within the Department of Transportation”. 1978—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 95–454 substituted “Merit Systems Protection Board” for “Civil Service Commission”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1980 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 96–347 effective on 90th day after Sept. 12, 1980, see section 3 of Pub. L. 96–347, set out as a note under section 2109 of this title.

Effective Date

of 1978 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 95–454 effective 90 days after Oct. 13, 1978, see section 907 of Pub. L. 95–454, set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.

Effective Date

Section effective on 90th day after May 16, 1972, see section 10 of Pub. L. 92–297, set out as a note under section 3381 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

5 U.S.C. § 3383

Title 5 — Government Organization and Employees

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73