National Association of Air Traffic Specialists

Aviation Safety is Our Business

NAATS HEADQUARTERS EMAIL UPDATE

Number 56
January 18, 2001

We're active in the inaugural activities as well as the fundraisers now. Obviously our intent is to spread our message to the new congress and gain support for our issues. We're working with our new congressional representatives to develop a detailed plan of action that I'll communicate to you as soon as it's complete. 

I want to thank those of you that are keeping us informed of all the good work you're doing with your specific representatives. Some suggested points to emphasize:

• � Invite them to tour your facility,
• � Educate them on who we are and what we do,
• � Explain our pay comparability issue with GS-2152 ATCSs,
• � Ask them to support us on our issues when they come up in Congress,
• � Tell them to feel free to contact me for more details.

Our next pay negotiations session with the management team will be February 14. Hopefully some progress will be made; we'll keep you informed.

There are some agency-proposed changes to the OASIS requirements schedule. NAATS National OASIS Representative Jeff Barnes will send out a more detailed Human Factors Team report of these items but I want to emphasize we're working the issues through our NAATS Human Factors Team. I'm very sensitive that we don't do anything that displaces them in the performance of their task.

I'll meet with ATS-1 Steve Brown and the new acting AT-1 Bill Peacock on February 5. Obviously I intend to press our issues of pay, staffing and equipment.

I attended the national Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA) meeting yesterday. Unfortunately no FSS issues were discussed or even contemplated. At some time it will dawn on the FAA decision makers that adverse weather and all its related effects are critical to aviation safety.

Wally Pike

Walter W. Pike, President

This page was last updated on 18 January 2001