U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Washington, DC 20515

November 25, 2002

Ms. Marion Blakey
FAA Administrator, AOA-1
800 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, D.C. 20591

Dear Administrator Blakey:

I write to enlist your help in ending the continuing impasse in the pay negotiations between the FAA and the National Association of Air Traffic Specialists (NAATS).

In the hope of resolving this dispute, the parties participated in a hearing before the Federal Mediation and. Conciliation Service (FMCS) on July 30, 2002. Although the FMCS declined to adopt either party's position, it did evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of both parties. This evaluation should provide the necessary ingredients for finality of these negotiations.

This impasse has gone on too long and must be resolved as soon as possible. I encourage you to resume negotiations with NAATS immediately and I also hope you, as well as NAATS, will use the FMCS evaluation of the parties' arguments as the basis for reaching a final agreement.

Thank you for your assistance with this important matter.