NAATS Letters to members Volume 1f

No. 76, 27 July, 2001

TO ALL EMPLOYEES REPRESENTED BY NAATS,

WHETHER DUES PAYING MEMBERS OR NOT!

The US House of Representatives and the Senate will be in recess from August 4^th -- Sept. 4^th. Members of both chambers will be returning to their congressional districts during this time. We strongly encourage you to use this opportunity to personally contact them regarding our pay disparity issue. It is important you speak with the member directly -- either in a personal meeting or at an event.

Our message is simple:

FSS Controllers are safety critical.

We are being compensated at a significantly lower rate than other, same series classification, controllers.

Negotiations with the FAA have dragged on since August of 1997 -- 4 years and repeated FMCS mediations have been unsuccessful.

The FAA and NAATS are at impasse; the next step in the process requires congressional action.

As each day passes without resolution, we lose money -- over $6 million collectively since the negotiations began.

Lack of a resolution on pay has led to morale and attrition problem

Contact FAA Administrator Garvey to bring this issue to a fare expeditious resolution.

Please report any feedback to NAATS Headquarters immediately.

Letter writing tips.

Say who we are

Explain what we want

Outline action items for the elected official (what we need them to do)

Say thank you

No. 77, 16 August, 2001

In response to her request, NAATS EA Regional Director Ron Maisel and I met with FAA Administrator Jane Garvey and ATS-2 Peter Challens this morning. The primary topic of discussion was the impasse in our pay negotiations.

Ron and I briefed the Administrator on the fact that the negotiating teams have not met since April 17 and that no future meetings are scheduled or contemplated. We also informed her that the mediator has agreed that we are at an impasse and that future meetings would be pointless. We provided the negotiations history, specifically the fact that we've been negotiating the work rules since August 1997 and the pay since January 2000.

We emphasized our comparability issue and the fact that neither the NAATS Negotiating Team nor the NAATS membership will accept anything less. We also described the bargaining unit morale problems associated with the lengthy delay in resolving this issue and the disparate treatment in pay. We also discussed the staffing problems in FSS as well as OASIS and Voice Switch.

This is the first time I have met with the Administrator to discuss pay negotiations. The meeting was cordial with neither party making any commitments other than the Administrator saying she would talk with the FAA Chief Negotiator. We emphasized that there is a very short timeline on this matter.

There is no way now the FAA can even remotely say that the Parties are engaged in negotiations. The pay issue remains at impasse and we are so informing the members of Congress. We encourage all members to do the same.

Our Alaska members met with Ted Stevens in Fairbanks and discussed our issue. We will follow-up here when he returns to DC September 4.

Our lobbyist met with the BOD this week. All seemed to feel positive after that discussion and we're still confident of success although there is still much work to be done.

Wally Pike

No. 78, 17 August, 2001

As mentioned in the Update yesterday, the BOD meeting was held this week. A summary of the items discussed will be published in the next edition of the NAATS Bulletin. The next BOD meetings will precede the LAS membership meeting in October.

AT-1 Bill Peacock and I have completed our video. We jointly developed the script and our hope is that it will be meaningful when it reaches you in the field. One word of warning - we're not professionals at reading teleprompters so, in my opinion, the video appears a little stiff and unrelaxed. My hope is that you will pay more attention to the words being spoken and less to the speakers themselves.

As you probably already know by now Bill Peacock and I have also agreed to stop the dual traffic count. Since the FAA has refused to consider FSS reclassification it seems pointless to continue to have our facilities go through the effort of maintaining the new count. It should be pointed out, though, that by doing this NAATS has not surrendered reclassification forever more. If and when the right time comes we can still resurrect the issue.

I've received invitations to meet with our members at the following locations: DEN, SEA, EKN, IPT and a SW Region Quarterly Meeting. I'll work with the appropriate Regional Directors to schedule these. All are subject to the pay negotiations workload.

A reminder that if you want to serve as a NAATS representative at FAA Headquarters please send us your name and a short resume. Your area of interest (operations, equipment, LMR) would also be helpful. The positions are details not to exceed one year in length. We also have occasional opportunities for those who would like to serve on workgroups/committees. These are not details but they do involve occasional travel.

Wally Pike

The following is from our National OASIS Representative Jeff Barnes:

08/16/01 - The OASIS Human Factors Team continues to work via telcon at least once and often twice a week. Sadly, some of our facility managers do not understand the importance of what the Team is doing so several times we have had Team members missing because their management would not let them leave the floor to participate. While this is understandable on occasion, it is happening with depressing regularity at one of our facilities. So the Alaskan region winds up with no representation on telcons that are addressing issues that are specific to Alaska. The Team works hard to see that the right decisions are made regarding Alaskan issues, but the process is made much tougher without an actual Alaskan viewpoint being present during the telcons. I continue to do what I can regarding this issue at headquarters (admittedly not much more than ensuring that awareness of the problem and the people responsible for it remains fresh at headquarters).

In two weeks we will be at Harris Corporation for a short Human Factors Team meeting followed by our first opportunity to look at the new software drop that is scheduled for SEA at the end of September. There will be some limited testing of the software there, but the full FAA test of the software won't take place until September at the Tech Center. It will be interesting to see how the changes affect position operation. Especially at Inflight.

SEA has had some OASIS outages recently. The outages are under investigation although a culprit in the software is suspected and is being looked at. However, what these events have highlighted is that the OASIS Help Desk is woefully inadequate for the job. They were very slow to respond with meaningful help when this first occurred. This is disturbing with only one facility operational on OASIS. It will be completely intolerable as more stations come on line. I am giving this problem high priority.

There will be an OASIS remote workstation available for demonstrations at the National Meeting in Las Vegas. The plan as of now is to put it right in the meeting room so people can get demos without having to leave the meeting. More details will be forthcoming as we work them out.

Today was the 7th Annual ARA Awards. ARA is the Acquisitions and Research Administration at headquarters. They are the money and contract people for OASIS (there's more to their job, but I won't waste space on that here). They are not in the Air Traffic line of business. The reason I bring this up is because the OASIS program received an award for mission excellence. The interesting part of this is that most of the people who were in the group that got this award are in Air Traffic. It's unusual to see an award given to people outside a line of business and very unusual that MOST of the recipients were outside. The OASIS Human Factors Team was included in this award. It's gratifying to see an organization that we were once adversarial with acknowledge the key role that the Human Factors Team has played in making OASIS into a successful program. My congratulations to the Team. I hope that Air Traffic takes a cue from this and gives them and our other brothers and sisters who have worked hard to make OASIS a success the recognition they deserve.

No. 79, 22 August 2001

Our Alaska members are scheduling a meeting with Don Young and his staffers when the Chairman returns to Alaska. I especially want to thank Guylan Roberts and Marc Lackman for all their hard work on this. Meanwhile here in DC we're continuing to work with the congressional staffers during the August recess.

Another special thanks to John Batchelder, PIE AFSS, for establishing contact with the Washington Post. Looks like they may publish a story about our plight in pay negotiations with the FAA.

Speaking of advertising our issues, Public Relations Team Chairman John Dibble has many ideas on future activities with both the user groups and the public at large. If you haven't checked out our website lately, please do so. John, of course, doubles as our Webmaster and does a great job.

I've had a number of discussions with NATCA President John Carr about working together in the future. I met this week with NATCA EVP Ruth Marlin to discuss working together in opposition to FAA contracting out and privatization. There will be a website titled ATCPrivitization.com established and, initially, we'll concentrate on our SAR and aircraft accident responsibilities. This represents a good opportunity to educate a number of people on what we do and who we are. We both agreed that there are many more similarities than differences between our bargaining units and that air traffic controllers need to present a united front. More on this as we work out the details.

Goodbye and thanks to outgoing Liaisons Donna Holmes (ATP) and Margaret Hamilton (ARW). Both of these members did outstanding jobs for us here in DC. Welcome aboard to Scott Malon and Kerryaine Mazziotti. Welcome also to Pedro Munoz-Morillo who has replaced Steve Glowacki in ARS. Steve has changed his hat now to the Voice Switch Technical Representative. As I've said before, we're fortunate to have a liaison program that allows us to utilize the skills and work ethics of our bargaining unit members.

A reminder that if you want to serve as a NAATS representative at FAA Headquarters please send us your name and a short resume. Your area of interest (operations, equipment, LMR) would also be helpful. The positions are details not to exceed one year in length. We also have occasional opportunities for those who would like to serve on workgroups/committees. These are not details but they do involve occasional travel.

Wally Pike

No. 80, 31 August, 2001

We've discussed our pay issue with several staffers now and, while no breakthrough has yet been achieved, we are generating more and more support during this August recess. Significant meetings are scheduled for the next ten days. We've talked again with the FMCS mediators assigned to this case and agreed that no negotiations are taking place with the FAA. The matter remains at impasse pending a congressional resolution.

EA Regional Director Ron Maisel and I met with the members and FacRep Bill Hawkenberry at EKN AFSS last week. As always it was good to discuss our concerns and receive input from the members. I enjoyed the opportunity of meeting face to face and listening to the suggestions and ideas of the bargaining unit. Next trip will be to IPT on September 8. I'm coordinating trips to DEN, SEA, and a SW Regional Quarterly meeting with the appropriate Regional Directors.

Status on the Aviation Labor Coalition (ALC). I've talked with the other union presidents including NATCA President John Carr and PASS President Mike Fanfalone. We're awaiting an ALC invitation to NATCA asking them to participate. Once that happens I will probably sign the charter, a copy of which is posted on our web page. The BOD has authorized me to use my judgment on this and, as I've previously stated, I'm concerned about ensuring inclusion by all the FAA unions. A reminder, this isn't an affiliation or merger and any FAA union should be free to join or quit at any time. The idea is one of using the combined strengths of all our organizations to achieve mutual goals. The charter formalizes a process that was begun during Personnel Reform by NAATS, NATCA and PASS and has continued informally during the intervening years.

On a related topic, this week I attended a meeting of the FAA Labor Management Council (FLMC). This council has replaced the old National Partnership Council (NPC) and we signed the revised charter. This is the group of FAA unions with the FAA associate and assistant administrators along with the Deputy Administrator. I believe it is a good forum to discuss crosscutting issues.

Wally Pike

The following is an OASIS Update from National Representative Jeff Barnes.

08/29/01 - I have a pretty long update this time with some good news and some good info...

I've been at Harris Corporation since last Thursday. Last week I was here to go to the monthly Program Management Review, a high level review of the OASIS program for the program managers. There I found out that Harris is going to do most of the SEA AFSS equipment upgrades early, installing them with the software upgrade scheduled for the second week of October. The workstations on the floor will be upgraded from 300 MHz Pentium 2 machines to 1.2 GHz Pentium 4 computers. The Weather Graphics Processor is being upgraded to a Sun Blade server...I know this doesn't mean much to a lot of people, but they represent a major upgrade. Some testing remains to be done on the Weather Graphics Processor to ensure it can be installed in October. The only pieces of equipment that will remain to be upgraded in SEA is the NT server and the Flight Data Servers.

Today the OASIS lead engineer told us that Harris is currently providing almost a thousand weather graphics products for OASIS, and they still have more to produce that have been mandated by the Human Factors Team.

We will have a remote workstation at the national meeting. The Human Factors Team members and any SEA controllers that would like to will be giving demos. We hope to set it up just outside the meeting room to minimize distraction, but we may be forced to do the demos in the meeting room. If so we'll have to keep our cries of joy (screams of anger? hehe) stifled in the interest of not disrupting the meeting.

I am going to include here the waterfall linked to very tentative installation dates that have been calculated by the program office. These are dates that installation would begin. To the best of my knowledge only AND is under contract right now, so Harris requirements could cause changes in the dates. Some factors affecting the list...

The Alaskan sites will very likely have to be moved further back in the waterfall. It would not surprise me to see them slip toward the back. The reason is questions of architecture and communications. Alaska has special needs in those areas that take more time to resolve. Any kind of communications work tend to take twice as long due to technical difficulties and dealing with local service providers. Plus we have to be sure that the FSS's get adequate performance from their systems, which will mean changes from the original architecture, some of them potentially major. If they do get slipped all the stations that were originally after them would be moved forward three spots in the installation.

Currently installations are scheduled to take place at a rate of 2 per month with the install of the 5th AFSS, ABQ. With the installation of the 33rd station, DCA the installations are scheduled to pick up to 3 per month. This is very aggressive and ultimately may not be workable due to money constraints or the availability of training resources.

SEA in place

AND 01/02

STL 11/02

RAL 12/02

ABQ 01/03

DAY 01/03

AOO 02/03

BTV 02/03

BNA 03/03

BUF 03/03

GRB 04/03

RNO 04/03

GTF 05/03

CXO 05/03

HUF 06/03

LOU 06/03

COU 07/03

HHR 07/03

GNV 08/03

MMV 08/03

JBR 09/03

RDU 09/03

IPT 10/03

PNM 10/03

BDR 11/03

JNU 11/03 (See note.)

ENA 12/03

FAI 12/03

OAK 01/04

PIE 01/04

HNL 02/04

SJU 02/04

DCA 03/04

FTW 03/04

LAN 03/04

MCN 04/04

PRC 04/04

EKN 04/04

ANB 05/04

SAN 05/04

SJT 05/04

MIV 06/04

BGR 06/04

DRI 06/04

DEN 07/04

IKK 07/04

MLC 07/04

CPR 08/04

MIA 08/04

HON 08/04

ICT 09/04

MKL 09/04

GFK 09/04

OLU 10/04

GWO 10/04

CDC 10/04

RIU 11/04

ISP 11/04

FOD 11/04

BOI 12/04

CLE 12/04

Note: The Alaskan stations will likely slip. Stations they slip past will likely be moved up 3 positions in the installation to fill the gap. Alaskan FSS's will be installed concurrently with Alaskan AFSS's

Fraternally,

Jeff Barnes

OASIS National Rep

No. 81, 7 September, 2001

By this time next week we should have a pretty good idea of where we stand with Congress on our comparability issue. Our visibility on the Hill is high and several offers of support have been received. All of your work on this is very much appreciated.

The Senate bill on ATC retirement (S.871) now has a House counterpart (HB2523). Our lobbyist advises that there is only a lukewarm reception from Congress on this but we're lending as much support as possible and keeping a close eye on the issue. If you're so inclined, we encourage you to contact your congressional representatives. My thanks to Al Osborn, MIA AFSS, for his help on this.

At the FAA Labor Management Relations Council (FLMRC) meeting last week we discussed the Model Work Environment implementation rollout. I've asked Webmaster John Dibble to post a copy on our web page. A reminder - MWE is not supposed to be disciplinary in nature. Any questions or comments should be directed to our national MWE representative Craig Campbell or me.

Another issue discussed at the FLMRC is the new FAA Performance Management System (PMS). NAATS Chief Negotiator Bill Dolan is bargaining this matter and a copy will be posted on our website. Please contact Bill with any questions or comments.

The agenda for our national meeting in LAS will be finalized next week. We have commitments from Fanny Rivera (ACR-1), Jim Washington (ARS-1) and Jeff Griffith (AT-2) as FAA speakers. There is also the chance that our friend from north of the border, Ron Smith, will attend. The Facrep training will be scheduled the same as last year. We should have all the details out to you in the next 10 days or so.

I'll be at IPT tomorrow to meet with the members. I've also received invitations to MIV and BOI. We're still working on the DEN, SEA and SW Region meetings. All meetings are subject to congressional workload and coordination with the appropriate Regional Directors.

Wally Pike

No. 82, 12 September, 2001

Yesterday was a tragic day in our nation's history but we've survived worse and terrorism can't be allowed to prevail. We can only hope that the loss of life won't be as great as some have predicted and that our retaliation for those responsible will be swift and sure.

I'm proud to say that NAATS controllers are standing firm and doing our part in helping the FAA manage the NAS during this crisis.

I'm coordinating with Jeff Griffith, AT-2, during these trying times and I've assured him that we will continue to do everything possible. As you no doubt already know, military readiness status is at DEFCON Delta, the highest level. The FAA is at the same readiness level and this guidance is contained in FAA Order 1900.1. This has been the only national instruction given by Air Traffic. CISD services are also available for those so interested. Please feel free to contact your Regional Director or me with any questions or comments.

Congress is expected to reconvene today but hearing schedules are subject to change.

Yesterday was also the day for counting the ballots in our national election. Congratulations to all who ran for office. I look forward to working with those elected and my thanks to those who have served our membership in the past.

Wally Pike

No. 83, 12 September, 2001

I talked with AT-2 Jeff Griffith about the fact that our controllers are being swamped with pilot questions regarding when GA will be able to fly again. Secretary Mineta has issued a news release today that states the airports will remain closed. Mineta goes on to say that "we remain committed to resuming commercial flights as soon as possible". The release outlines five stepped-up security measures that will be implemented once airports are reopened but there is no mention of general aviation.

I've faxed this release to John Dibble for posting on our web page. Since the matter is being handled at the Secretary's level there is nothing Air Traffic can do.

I've called DOT to try to find out if Mineta has given consideration to general aviation. They are supposed to call me back. We do know that the priority will be commercial flights before GA.

We'll dog DOT until we find out something on this and continue to provide details as we receive them.

Wally Pike

No. 84, 13 September, 2001

I talked with AOPA President Phil Boyer this morning. His concern is that pilots are receiving conflicting information about when GA will be able to fly again. He understands that we're only following instructions and doing the best we can. Boyer emphasized that he was not blaming FSS controllers for the lack of definitive information.

NAATS Headquarters is on a continuous telcon with Air Traffic. The latest info is that GA flight, IFR or VFR, is not authorized at 15Z. The exception is Alaska where GA has been opened up. Please understand this Update is not an authorized FAA communication tool but is intended to keep you informed. If you receive instructions that are contrary to this information please do as instructed by FAA management. We will continue to provide details as we receive them. Any questions or concerns should be directed through your supervisors and managers to the Regional Offices.

Wally Pike

No. 85, 13 September, 2001

In my discussions with AOPA President Phil Boyer he expressed concern that some of our members are trying to guess or anticipate when GA will be able to fly again. He understands that we're trying to help but guessing or anticipating when GA will be released has the net effect of confusing the situation. Mr. Boyer appreciates our efforts and I'm working with Air Traffic to provide you with firm information as it becomes available.

Some of our members have National Guard or Reserve obligations. If you have any questions regarding these please feel free to contact NAATS Headquarters and we will get you the answers.

As I mentioned yesterday, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) is available for any controller who desires it. This service should be requested through the FacRep/Facility Manger to the appropriate region. EAP is also available. Again, if you have any questions feel free to contact us at NAATS Headquarters.

FAA Human Resources (HR) will have guidance available later today regarding leave for those stuck enroute or for future planning. This includes OWCP and those who are experiencing fear of travel. Emergency leave transfer will also be implemented today. Employees can expect to receive their pay on time through a blanket T & A process that provides 80 hours to all for the pay period.

We'll continue to keep you informed.

Wally Pike

No. 86, 13 September, 2001

As of 5pm Eastern we still do not know when GA flight will resume. Secretary Mineta, the National Security Council and the Department of Defense are controlling the issue. Any of the three seem to have veto power.

I've talked with both AT-2 Jeff Griffith and ATS-1 Steve Brown today and they are aware of your efforts during this time. I'll also talk with Administrator Garvey about this at the earliest opportunity.

FAMS have been temporarily suspended. All we have for now.

Wally Pike

No. 87, 14 September, 2001

We are continuing to work closely with Air Traffic during this national crisis and keeping them informed of the hardships you are enduring in dealing with our customers with limited information from DOT. As soon as we have any information we will pass it along.

We remain at Security Condition "Charlie".

We've been asked to consider postponing the National Meeting in LAS due to the circumstances. I've asked the BOD to respond to this request as soon as possible. If you have any comments or thoughts on this I encourage you to contact your Regional Director or me. I will let you know once a decision is reached.

Wally Pike

NAATS has had Chief Negotiator Bill Dolan in the FAA Situation Room since yesterday morning. The following is his report.

The system is understandably in chaos. I have investigated the NOTAM problems and as far as I have been able to determine it is a case of either the Flight Service personnel have not received the latest NOTAM information or the NOTAM information that was transmitted was so poorly thought out that it caused great confusion as to the state of the air traffic system and what type of flights were authorized.

I have been in the Air Traffic Situation Room most of the day Thursday and most likely Friday will be more of the same. I think we have gotten most of this straightened out. If any aeronautical information or procedures cause significant problems please contact me by e-mail or If it is an issue that requires IMMEDIATE attention, contact me at 301-346-6592 Through Friday, 9/14/01.

Thanks for all of your hard work. You may not realize it but it is being noticed here by the management officials dealing with this massive problem in difficult times. Please keep up the hard work. Your efforts indicate just how important you are to the National Airspace System and your professionalism is apparent to those involved. Some misunderstandings will occur but they can be corrected after we get beyond these very difficult times.

Keep the faith,
Bill Dolan

The following report is from NAATS National OASIS Representative Jeff Barnes.

09/13/01 - I watched the tragic events on Tuesday in horror from AND AFSS. We were there for the OASIS site survey. The site survey was cancelled and since I had driven down from DC I was able to drive back that evening. Seeing the still-burning Pentagon with my own eyes was a numbing and surreal experience when I got back. At this time what other impacts there might be on OASIS is unclear. We are going to try to go ahead with our Human Factors Team meeting next week at the Tech Center, but travel difficulties for the Team and for Harris may force us to delay the meeting. Operational testing of the SEA October software upgrade remains scheduled for the following week. In light of everything that has happened this week talking about the OASIS Program seems kind of trivial, but it is why I'm here, and the work must go on.

I think I can safely speak for the Human Factors Team that our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has lost friends and family in this tragedy, and our hopes are for a thorough accounting for those responsible and for those who aided them.

Jeff Barnes

No. 88, 14 September, 2001

NOTICE

Given the current circumstances the NAATS Board of Directors has decided to postpone the LAS National Meeting to a future date to be determined. Please contact the hotel and cancel your room reservations. Any questions or comments can be directed to your Regional Director and/or me.

Wally Pike

No. 89, 14 September, 2001

If it hasn't happened by the time you get this, expect Part 91 IFR operations in the continental US to begin shortly. We're continuing to coordinate with Air Traffic to work through all the confusion, it's understood that you are bearing the brunt of the ATC workload. In some instances our AFSSs have tripled their workload.

Everyone expects a surge when they release IFR GA. You are entitled to breaks from operational duties and we encourage you to take advantage of these.

No word yet on VFR flights but we'll do our best to keep you advised.

Wally Pike

No. 90, 15 September, 2001

Please understand, this Update is for your information only and not an official FAA position. It is not meant to be used in controller/pilot communication. Having said that, GA VFR flight now appears doubtful this weekend; looks like Monday at the earliest but please do not speculate with pilots. This could change at any time, no one really knows. Both President Bush and Secretary Mineta are interested in resuming these operations as soon as possible and different options are being prepared for them.

By any objective analysis, Flight Service has performed yeoman's work in getting the NAS back in operation. I will contact AT-1 Bill Peacock next week and ask for meaningful recognition for you and all of your efforts. We're also keeping Congress fully advised of your contributions.

A number of factors went into the decision to postpone our National Meeting, including uncertainty about air travel, membership feeling regarding a meeting in LAS so soon after a national tragedy, anticipated membership attendance and lack of membership travel preference options. This was balanced against the fact that no one knows what the situation will be next month. The driver was the fact that yesterday was the deadline for the meeting room deposits at the Luxor. Considering this, the BOD decided to postpone. I believe it was the right choice. We knew this decision would not be universally popular but the majority of the membership response I've received indicates agreement.

I've been asked about cancellation fees for membership non-refundable airfare purchased for the meeting. No one knows what the breakdown on membership travel preferences is but my feeling is that NAATS should refund these cancellation fees if they are substantiated. The BOD will, however, decide this matter.

Bill Dolan is in the Situation Room again today and I'm still on the AT telcon. If you need any help please feel free to contact Bill at 301-346-6592 or me at 202-437-0764. My thanks to Bill for all his help.

Wally Pike