NATCA: Why Air Travel Is Safer
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If you’re getting ready to board a plane home after Thanksgiving or still fretting about safety in the crowded holiday skies for the upcoming holidays, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA)—the people who guide you home—offer five reasons to feel better about air travel.
Here they are in a nutshell, and click here for more details.
- There are more controllers on the job, nearly a 4 percent increase of fully certified controllers.
- Runways are safer than ever, with the number of serious runway incursions having dropped by 50 percent between 2009 and 2010 after falling by 52 percent the year before.
- Major steps have been taken to reduce controller fatigue this year, including staffing that ensures at least two controllers are on duty at all times.
- The aviation community is collaborating to mitigate delays with pilots, aircraft dispatchers, airport operators and other members of the aviation community and the system wide delays are decreasing, especially around the holidays.
- The aviation safety culture is at its strongest with NATCA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) committed to improving the safety of the air traffic control system, including a voluntary safety reporting program, the Air Traffic Safety Action Program.
PATCO Strike Changed America, Sheds Light on U.S. Today
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When 12,000 U.S. air traffic controllers went on strike 30 years ago, Ronald Reagan threatened that if they were not back on the job in 48 hours, they would be fired. Two days later, 11,000 of them, all members of PATCO, were terminated and permanently replaced. The PATCO strike not only changed the lives of those involved, who were unable to ever work again in their field, it proved to be a key turning point in this nation for workers seeking a voice at their workplaces, according to Georgetown University professor Joseph McCartin.
Speaking last night as part of a Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor panel at Georgetown, McCartin said the PATCO strike resulted in a fundamental shift in workers’ ability to utilize the strike, widely recognized as workers’ most effective tool in seeking a fair shake on the job. After PATCO, employers were emboldened to replace strikers and, in turn, workers waged fewer and fewer walkouts. By 2010, there were only 11 strikes involving 1,000 or more workers, compared with 222 such strikes in 1960—a 95 percent drop in walkouts. As the ability to successfully strike decreased, so did workers’ strength at the workplace and their numbers in unions. As McCartin summed up:
Ever since a Supreme Court ruling in 1938 in the Mackay case, private-sector employers knew that they had the legal right to replace workers in most strikes. But until 1981 few were willing to risk the conflict and public disapproval that might come from doing so.
Reagan’s firing of the PATCO strikers, which the public initially strongly supported, helped break that barrier of reticence.
McCartin, author of the newly published book, Collision Course: Ronald Reagan, the Air Traffic Controllers and the Strike that Changed America, was joined by several former PATCO Read the rest of this entry »
Report: U.S. Aviation System Safest in the World
National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) President Paul Rinaldi says “the most important piece” of a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) study on aviation safety is this: “The [Federal Aviation Administration] FAA has taken several steps to further improve safety at and around airports.”
The GAO study found an increase in the rate of reported runway incursions and other reported incidents of aircraft coming too close to each other. The FAA says a new system of more accurate incident reporting accounts for some of the increase.
As a result of this culture change, the FAA expected to see an increase in reported operational errors. More information will help us find problems and take action before an accident happens, which will help us build an even safer aviation system.
Republicans Use ‘Extortion Tactics’ to Shut Down FAA
The Republican shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has thrown 4,000 FAA employees out of work, and some 70,000 construction workers employed on airport improvement projects can’t go to work because Republicans have blocked funding for the agency and the projects.
In a letter to House and Senate Republican leaders, Mark Ayers, president of the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD), says he is outraged by the “extortion tactics” and “political brinkmanship” that are creating even more “hardship for building and construction trades families” in an industry already suffering high unemployment.
Our members expect their elected leaders to resolve their differences without resorting to ultimatums. Once again, our members are frustrated that an extreme minority has succeeded temporarily by using extortion tactics to undermine the jobs of my members.
Republican Attack on Workers’ Rights Puts Aviation Safety at Risk
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UPDATE: Both the House and Senate adjourned this afternoon without taking action on the FAA bill, ensuring a midnight shutdown. Senate Republicans blocked a move for a temporary extension of the agency’s funding.
At midnight tonight, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is slated to run out of money and be forced to suspend vital operations because House Republicans want to deny aviation and rail workers a simple majority vote—the same process that applies to electing lawmakers—on whether to join a union.
Republicans are holding a temporary funding bill hostage because they want to overturn a new rule adopted last year by the National Mediation Board (NMB) that says air and rail elections should be decided by a majority of votes cast. Previously under the Railway Labor Act (RLA), which covers rail and airline workers, each worker who did not cast a vote in a representation election was automatically counted as a “No” vote.
Edward Wytkind, president of the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD), says:
Republican leaders are doing the bidding of a few airline CEOs who refuse to allow this bill to move forward unless it eviscerates fair union election rules. No wonder the public is growing weary of the majority leaders in the House and their tactics.
Here Are the Faces of the Voices that Guide You Home
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Steve Wallace is an air traffic controller in Miami with 20 years on the job and as he says in this new video from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA):
I have to be 100 percent, 100 percent of the time.
The video notes that 750 million people fly through U.S. air space every year and that controllers handle more than 134 million take offs, landings and other operations each year. Each day, more than 70,000 flights take off and land safely. Says Denise Spencer, a 17-year controller in Seattle:
My voice is the voice that guides you home each and every day.
The video features several other controllers who speak about their dedication to safety and pride in their profession. NATCA spokesman Doug Church says the video is a response to the negative publicity following the recent incidents with controllers—mostly on overnight, one-person-staffed facilities—falling asleep. He says NATCA’s 20,000 controllers were upset with those who had performed unprofessionally.
Memphis Air Traffic Controllers Honored
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The 71 National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) members who staff Memphis International Airport’s tower and Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) have been honored for their outstanding work at the uniquely busy, 24/7 facility that along with normal commercial traffic, serves as the hub for the worldwide cargo operation of FedEx.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) administrator Randy Babbitt recently presented the NATCA members with the Dorothy Tharnish Customer Service Award for their outstanding commitment, innovation and excellent work.
Last year, a seven-month runway rebuilding project reduced the airport’s capacity by 30 percent and forced controllers to work up alternative routings and utilize ingenuity and creativity in keeping up a high level of efficiency.
Time to Clear Aviation Bill for Take Off
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Congress returns to work this week and one of its top priorities, say the nation’s aviation unions, is to break the gridlock that has held the vital aviation safety and investment bill hostage.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization is now on its 15th temporary extension since 2007 and that expires Sept. 30. Both the U.S. Senate and House have passed versions of the aviation bill. But with so little time until Congress adjourns for the fall elections, it’s time to tell your lawmakers, “Pass the FAA Bill Now!”
The bill funds air traffic control modernization, airport expansion and makes air travel safer for the flying public and for workers. The legislation would create an estimated 300,000 jobs because of the investments in air traffic control modernization and airport improvements. It also addresses important labor-management and workers’ rights issues.
Air Traffic Controllers Help You Avoid Airline Delays
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Here’s a way to avoid delays at the airport when you head off for vacation this summer. The Air Traffic Controllers (NATCA) reminds travelers about the union’s great site: http://AvoidDelays.com.
Launched in 2006, AvoidDelays.com is the first tool of its kind to help the flying public. Using a mix of historical and live flight data directly from the Department of Transportation, the website provides information on which airports have a history of delays and how to get avoid getting stuck in an airport when you really would rather be on the beach or touring a European capital.
The site has continued to be a great resource, whether you have already purchased your ticket or are waiting to find the best deal. It’s user-friendly and provides an interactive function that allows travelers to check rankings before they book a flight and check flight status on the day they fly.
UAW Donates $500,000 to Haiti Relief as Unions Continue Strong Aid Efforts
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Despite the impact of one of the worse recessions in U.S. history, union members continue to generously support efforts to help survivors of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. You can take action now to help the Haitian survivors by clicking on the AFL-CIO Haitian Disaster Relief site here.
The UAW yesterday announced it is donating $500,000 to the William J. Clinton Foundation to help victims of the earthquake. Says UAW President Ron Gettelfinger:
The people of Haiti desperately need food, water, medical care and hope. The women and men of the UAW stand with thousands of other organizations and ordinary citizens in their desire to help the Haitian people meet their basic human needs.
