>Why are these public jobs considered "god-given rights"? I work in the private sector. If I don't get paid, I have to find a new job. That apparently doesn't apply to public sector employees anymore. Is there some sort of immutable compact I've missed here?

You think the employees are saying - "working is my right, gosh darn it, pay or no pay?"

They work not because they feel entitled to the job but because (a) not coming in to work has been criminalized and they could go to jail, and (b) people would die if they stopped working. This isn't hyperbole - there are hundreds of organ transplant operations happening every day. The most hardy organs die in about 2 days, the most fickle need to be implanted within 6 hours of extraction. If flights stop, that's it - the patient dies. That's a single example off the top of my head.

Criminalization: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Service_Labor-Manageme...

As a final note - even if all of these folks quit their jobs today, it's not like there is an extra 2 million available positions out there, ready to absorb the new labor force.

Ah yes, all of those federal air traffic controllers that should just go and work in the lucrative private air traffic control industry.

Privatizing the airports would make them private sector employees.

Not all ATCs work at airports. What do you think will happen when the folks at New York Center stop showing up to work?

I’m sorry how does this comment help us right now? They aren’t privatized. And people aren’t getting paid.

>Instead, the employees realize the benefits are worth it and are still trying to stay.

How about we reevaluate this statement after it's all over?