Catching a Plane? Read This

by Tula Connell, Apr 6, 2006

Everyone who flies—and who cares whether there are sufficient air traffic controllers to safely guide planes—listen up.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) yesterday refused to continue bargaining with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), seeking cuts that would further deepen the air traffic controller staffing crisis. In declaring an impasse in negotiations, the agency can turn the process over to Congress.

The FAA is seeking to unilaterally impose a contract on the air traffic controllers, who have been in negotiations since July 2005. In addition to reducing starting salary by 30 percent for new employees, the FAA proposal would phase out controller incentive pay, which goes to controllers who take jobs in hard-to-staff facilities.

Bargaining also has come to a halt between the FAA and its second-largest union, the Professional Airways Systems Specialists-MEBA, who install and maintain air traffic control equipment.

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) is among top lawmakers who urged that contract talks  continue. In addition, Obama supports legislation in Congress (S. 2201) requiring binding
arbitration.

Without this legislation, the FAA would have the authority to impose its last contract offer on the air traffic controllers, unless Congress prevents it from doing so. That would require Congress to set aside all of its other business—including immigration reform and funding for the troops in Iraq—to micromanage the FAA. That is not a good use of Congress’ time.

You can help by asking your elected officials to support the bipartisan legislation to restore a fair process for dispute resolution for FAA employees.

S. 2201 and H.R. 4755, “The FAA Fair Labor Management Dispute Resolution Act,” doesn’t dictate the outcome of any particular contract negotiation, it simply requires Congress to either approve the FAA proposal or send the matter to an impartial arbitrator.

So before you stash you luggage in the overhead compartment, take a minute to support air traffic controllers in their fight for a fair contract.

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