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#60, January 10, 2003
Congress
is back in session and so are our congressional meetings. Our focus remains on
defeating the A76 study. As before, we�re receiving several pledges of support
but, so far, no firm commitment to offer "inherently governmental" legislation
or to curtail A76 funding. We expect to remain busy here for the next several
months.
I talked
with NATCA EVP Ruth Marlin about several subjects and we agreed to work
together on the FAA out-sourcing challenge. My hope is that the February
meeting with the FAA unions will produce an aggressive common approach to
address this problem.
I talked
with the FAA regarding the resumption of pay talks. Looks like this will
happen in the next few weeks. No word yet on what their proposal will look
like.
As you�ve
probably heard the FAA and NATCA have tentatively agreed to extend their
current contract for two additional years. This was expected and had been
discussed for months.
We�re
coordinating with the FLRA regarding their processing of our two ULPs against
the FAA. The next two weeks should provide a clearer picture on both
complaints and their status.
The NAATS
BOD meeting will be next week with A76 having the highest priority. A summary
of the meeting will be published in accordance with BOD policy.
In closing
we all share the frustration and uncertainty due to the A76 and pay impasse. I
want to assure you that we�re doing everything we can in exploring any
possible way of resolving both these issues. We simply can�t afford to give
up; that ensures the defeat of our membership and our option. I�m convinced
viable options will become available to us at some time in the future but we
have to stay focused.
Wally Pike
#61, January 24, 2003
The NAATS
BOD meeting was held last week. A summary of the meeting has been sent to
Webmaster John Dibble for posting on our website.
One of the matters discussed at the BOD meeting was FacRep training on the new
contract. We�re currently exploring the feasibility of conducting this
training in March; please contact your Regional Director for more details.
I�ve had several meetings this week, both FAA and congressional. As you may
have heard Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) is weighing in on the "inherently
governmental" discussion. I expect to talk to him and/or his staff among
others next week.
The FAA has advised that the Administrator will be prepared to resume talks on
pay with the unions (NAATS, PASS, AFSCME, NATCA) around the first of March.
This will be a topic at the joint union meeting February 20.
I gave my affidavits to the FLRA on our two ULPs this week. They will next
talk with the FAA. No indication of the FLRA�s opinion yet on either
complaint.
One of the meetings I had this week was with ATS-1 Steve Brown to discuss
OASIS funding. The FAA has appealed the FY04 budget cut, nothing new from OMB
yet. The FY06 OASIS issue was new to him and is apparently internal FAA. We
both agreed that OASIS funding and deployment should not be curtailed because
of A76 concerns. We also agreed that any proposal to reduce AFSSs from 61 to 3
is neither sound nor desirable. He will get back to me as he finds out more on
this.
For heath reasons Dana Colquitt will be unable to serve as NAATS Drug/Alcohol
representative. This is a request for interested volunteers to send in your
name and resume to NAATS HQ.
I talked with AOPA President Phil Boyer to give him a "heads up" regarding an
ad we want to place in one of their magazines. Our discussion was frank and,
at times, intense. As I explained to him, the purpose of the ad is not to
attack the AOPA leadership but to inform the AOPA membership that they have
been mislead by the FAA. We want to ask them to aggressively help NAATS stop
the A76 process. Our hope is that AOPA will run the ad but, if they decline,
there are other options we�re considering. Once the ad is finalized it will
also be posted on our website.
Final thought - the way we beat A76 is by staying united and working together.
Everyone is trying hard and, despite the continuing challenges, there are some
encouraging signs. We just have to stay the course and address our issues
intelligently.
Wally Pike
#62, January 31, 2003
We�re
continuing our meetings on A76 with senior FAA management. We�re also in
contact with OMB and, of course, Capitol Hill. I talked with Senator Frank
Lautenberg�s staff yesterday. I was informed that their intent is to include
FSS as being inherently governmental. I�ll meet with them next week to discuss
the details.
In addition to Lautenberg�s staff, next week I�m meeting with Collins, Hoyer,
Boxer and Boswell with more meetings being added almost daily. So far these
include Stabenow, Young, Pelosi, Mica, Murry, Vionovich, Sandlin, Feinstein,
Rehberg, Stevens, Mikulski and Daschle.
The BOD has finalized the A76 ad and word is that AOPA will run it. I�ve sent
a copy to Webmaster John Dibble for posting on our site.
Any objective observer is aware of the professional job accomplished by our
bargaining unit members despite critically short staffing and the morale
destroying issues of A76, pay as well as the other challenges faced by all
federal employees. It�s more important now than ever that we keep providing
this quality service. All of this work and effort will dividends in the end.
This week ARS-1 Jim Washington came to NAATS Headquarters to meet and discuss
a number of issues. It was a productive meeting and I look forward to working
with him on the many challenges confronting our membership. It should be noted
that this is the first time a "-1" has ever come to NAATS HQ for a meeting.
I�ve been asked about the relative merits of informational picketing at the
major airports vs. FBO and pilot meetings as to which is the better way to get
our message out. Picketing requires that we have a consistent, accurate
message that interests the public flying on the large air carriers. The most
effective message is that the FAA plans to contract out all of air traffic
control and that we�re the second step in this process (contract towers being
the first). In turn this means that we must coordinate our efforts with NATCA
to avoid working at cross-purposes. This coordination should be completed at
our meeting next month. The point is - our credibility is our most important
asset on Capitol Hill as well as with the general public; once we lose it we
can�t get it back.
Presenting our message to the FBOs and at pilot meetings does not require
coordination with anyone else. It allows us to speak directly to our customer
regarding the A76 and its potential outcome. To that end A76 Representative
Kate Breen will be sending out an update in the next day or so.
As far as which one is better - picketing or informational meetings -- they
both have their place in an intelligent and coordinated effort to defeat A76.
Wally Pike
#63, February 7, 2003
NAATS
has issued a press release regarding the latest FAA debacle in failing to
notify our AFSSs for five hours of the no fly zone due to the shuttle debris.
Too many members to list were involved in the development of this but they
know who they are and I thank all of them for their work. I also thank John
Dibble for his distribution of the press release and for posting it on our
website.
As noted last week, the congressional meetings are coming fast and furious.
The most notable this week was my meeting and continuing discussions with
Senator Lautenberg staff and their willingness to modify their bill language
to include our A76 concerns. The language is expected to be finalized and
announced by Senator Lautenberg on either Monday or Tuesday of next week.
Presently the language defines FSS as being inherently governmental as part of
air traffic and precludes the use of funds to study privatization and
contracting out of air traffic.
This is excellent news and the result of our continuing effort to stop this
process. This is not, however, the time to relax and grow complacent. The
language is expected to be introduced as part of FAA Reauthorization and that
process, by all accounts, will take some time. This will be an uphill battle
with both the FAA and OMB weighing in negatively on the language. Instead of
relaxing we have to crank up the pressure now, and I ask that you contact your
congressional representatives and encourage them to support retaining this
language in the legislation. Nationally we�re meeting with members and staff
of both the Senate and the House to generate support for Lautenberg and also
to try to get a similar measure enacted in the House. This makes the
authorizers and their leadership, Young and Oberstar, particularly important.
Your efforts as constituents are key to our success. Informational picketing
with NATCA and PASS will also be coordinated.
We were interviewed this week by Government Executive magazine but they didn�t
use most of the safety and security information I gave them. I also
interviewed with Plane and Pilot; the article will probably be published in
early summer. Thanks to SAN FacRep Mike Puffer for the referral.
Wally Pike
#64, February 14, 2003
This
week has been the busiest week we�ve had on Capitol Hill. Between meetings,
fundraisers and telephone calls we had over 20 opportunities to discuss our
A76 outsourcing issue.
Senator Lautenberg�s bill (S.338, see our website) was introduced in the
Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee as part of FAA
Reauthorization. I met with Senator Lautenberg and his staff last night and
thanked him for his efforts on our behalf and we agreed to work closely on
this in the future. I also talked with them about the best way to proceed with
S.338.
Both the Senate and House have stated that they plan to move FAA
Reauthorization quickly and will have a bill by May/June. FAA Reauthorization
hearings are scheduled through March and we�ll be allowed to submit testimony
during that timeframe.
It�s absolutely critical that you contact your congressional representatives
now and solicit support for S.338. Particularly important are members of the
Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Our website has this information
available, if you need help please feel free to contact me. Within those
committees, we have to target the leadership: Senate - Committee Chair John
McCain and Ernest Hollings, Aviation Subcommittee Chair Trent Lott and John
Rockefeller. House - it�s Chairman Don Young and Jim Oberstar with
Subcommittee Chair John Mica and William Lipinski. Given the current
congressional makeup, it�s especially important to obtain Republican support
but we need to work them all. We�re finalizing a meeting with Don Young and/or
his staff for next week.
I�m considering asking the BOD to bring select constituent members to DC to
help lobby key leaders of these committees but the most effective lobbying is
actually done back in the districts. I urge you act now.
As you may know AOPA has stated that they strongly support S.338. We welcome
them aboard and look forward to working with their congressional liaisons.
As I mentioned, it�s busy right now but I want to resume my facility visits as
soon as possible and I�ll go to all the facilities that I previously committed
to. The same goes for the FacRep training at RNO; as of today I plan to go but
I may very well get bumped.
We met with AT-1 Bill Peacock this week. Following are the items discussed and
their disposition:
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ATC
hiring freeze -- not in effect at this time and certainly no decision to
further reduce our staffing. Will advise if there are any serious plans to do
either.
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Staffing (counting IPPs against OEX training allocations) -- regions should
not be using this to avoid new hires.
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New
traffic count (OASIS) -- agreement that a new way to count traffic is
necessary, will look for money to fund necessary time and motion study.
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Voice
Switch A/B Switch -- Air Traffic must look at all options, even those that
have been disproved in the past.
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Unnecessary delays in changing NOTAM language -- Air Traffic is attempting to
get the first NOTAM correct so that additional ones are necessary.
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Problem
in getting new ATP Liaison released from facility -- agreement this isn�t a
staffing issue, will coordinate with affected region.
In
closing I restate that it�s still an uphill fight to stop A76 and this is no
time for complacency. We�re exploring other initiatives and the BOD has
authorized additional funding for congressional help. We will continue to
explore all options until we�ve won this battle.
Wally Pike
#65, February 24, 2003
We
spent most of last week meeting with members/staffs of both houses of congress
on both sides of the aisle. The purpose of these meetings is to try to solicit
co-sponsors on S.338 in the Senate and to attempt to get similar legislation
offered in the House. In the Senate we still don�t have Daschle, Hollings or
Rockefeller much less any of the Republicans. On the House side I met with T &
I Chairman Don Young�s staff but they were non-committal; I�ll see the
Chairman on March 5 and talk with him personally. I�ll meet with Ranking
member Jim Oberstar and his staff this week. I also meet with Senator
Rockefeller�s and the Aviation Subcommittee staff this week.
Obviously we need your help in convincing congress to support this
legislation. Thanks to those of you who have contacted their congressional
representatives; to those who haven�t I urge you to get engaged. Again,
particularly important are those constituents of Don Young, Jim Oberstar,
Trent Lott, John Rockefeller, John McCain, Ernest Hollings, John Mica and
William Lipinski.
This week will be busier still and this will be the case for the foreseeable
future. The A76 issue continues to have our highest priority.
Many meetings were cancelled or postponed last week due to inclement weather.
One of these was the NATCA meeting on February 20. This is being rescheduled
but no date set.
I�m continuing to meet with senior FAA managers but no breakthroughs yet. More
meetings are scheduled this week.
Unfortunately we�ve had to move forward on the NAATS ATP Liaison matter. The
Alaskan member selected for the detail was refused release by his facility
manager despite more than adequate facility staffing. The Alaskan Division
manager chose not to act citing a peripheral argument about regional staffing.
This is extremely shortsighted by Alaskan air traffic management. That region
has never had a liaison at FAA Headquarters and, given this attitude, it looks
like they never will. They deserve better. Since we�re in a time crunch now we
have asked current ARS Liaison Jim Perkins to move to ATP until December.
Wally Pike
#66, February 28, 2003
S.338 picked up 3
co-sponsors this week: Senators Corzine, Reid and Sarbanes. Hopefully several
more will sign up in the coming weeks.
The NAATS challenge to the FAIR Act Inventories List will be sent to the FAA
next week and a copy will be posted on our website. Thanks especially to A76
Rep Kate Breen and NE Regional Director Kurt Comisky for all their help on
this.
This month�s AOPA Pilot magazine has arrived with our ad. You will find it on
page 90. No word from AOPA.
Congratulations to Darrell Mounts on his election as NW Regional Director.
I�ve known Darrell for many years and I look forward to working with him on
the BOD.
The following are accepted as the best ways to lobby congress.
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A personal meeting with
the representative(s) is better than a phone call. A phone call is better than
a letter. A letter is better than an email. An email is better than nothing.
-
Meeting with the
representative back in the district is better than meeting in DC because they
have more time and fewer distractions.
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Meeting with the member
is better but take meetings with the staff. It varies greatly but all depend
on staff to some degree to tell them how they feel about certain issues.
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If you get a personal
meeting you have a very short time to make your pitch. Don�t bring in more
than one issue at a meeting and don�t be overly complex in your discussion.
Begin by telling them who you are and what you want them to do, then briefly
explain the issue. Close by telling them again what you want them to do.
Emphasize the fact that you are a constituent and a vote. They meet with many,
many people and you have to hook their interest early on.
-
Form letters are better
than no letters but better yet are personally written ones no longer than one
page in length.
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Remember they don�t
want to say "no" to any constituent so frequently they�re deliberately vague.
You have to be persistent and try to pin them down on commitments without
offending them.
Thanks to all of you
who are working congress on our behalf. I want to single out John Batchelder,
PIE AFSS, for his outstanding work. John is the reason we now have a scheduled
meeting with Aviation Subcommittee Chair John Mica. He�s also done a nice job
with Congressman Bilirakis.
Wally Pike
#67, March 7, 2003
This week Leahy and Kennedy signed on
S.338. I�ve assured Senator Lautenberg�s staff that we�re working hard to get
other co-sponsors. After meeting with their staffs it sounds like Murray and
Rockefeller will join.
I�m also working with Congressman Oberstar�s staff on legislation he will
offer either this week or next. It�s not a companion bill to S.338 and is
different in that it�s not limiting in funding but it does protect us from
contracting out. The exact language is still being developed; once it�s
finalized and offered we will post it on our website.
We are continuing to address A76 in other forums, including discussions with
senior FAA managers on realizing efficiencies using alternatives to A76. We
are also using professional help in stopping A76 on Capitol Hill. We�ll
continue to make every effort in every possible forum in addressing this
issue.
We�ve contacted the Federal Labor Relations Authority regarding the two ULPs
we filed on pay. The FLRA says that they are processing the complaints and if
and when they need any further information from us they will let us know. One
of those "don�t call us, we�ll call you" type of responses.
Please note -- one Director has informed me that some of the members in his
region have a problem when they read the status of the pay impasse. For those
who don�t want to know the latest -- read no further.
FAA Labor Relations has advised that talks with the various unions, including
NAATS, will probably start in the next month. They advise that they regret the
continuing delays but are unable to move the process any faster.
No one is more frustrated about this than I am but a reality check here is in
order. Other than filing ULPs, which we�ve done, there�s not a lot unions can
do about this but wait. No one in this Congress, on either side of the aisle,
wants to hear about a pay dispute between the FAA and its unions. Even when
they do listen they have absolutely no interest in intervening on our behalf.
We�re not alone -- other FAA unions have the same problem. The fact that it�s
unfair doesn�t change the situation. So the choice is either to keep working
the issue or give up. Venting and demanding simplistic, unrealistic approaches
may feel good when offered but they don�t take us anywhere toward solving the
problem. If there were a magic bullet we would have shot it long ago. We can
either work this intelligently or we can retreat into emotionalism and
self-pity.
The vast majority of the membership continues to be supportive and patient.
Neither the BOD nor I have given up. We�ll continue to work the issue in
various forums until something breaks loose. There are always opportunities in
challenges if we�re astute enough to take advantage of them.
Wally Pike
#68, March 14, 2003
S. 338 now has nine Democratic co-sponsors, including Senator Daschle. If you
have a Republican Senator, now is the time to lobby them to sign on.
Congressman Oberstar is expected to offer his legislation the first part of
next week. The delay has been caused by the coordination of the bill language
with the interested parties. NATCA, PASS and NAATS are all working together on
this.
My meeting with Don Young has been postponed until March 26. Obviously he�s a
key player on the whole privatization/ contracting out issue. Our other
congressional meetings continued this week, including Aviation Subcommittee
Chairman John Mica. He advised that he would ensure that no one gets
"railroaded" by the A76 process and that he might hold hearings for this
purpose. I informed him that the FAA is not required and has no intention of
seeking congressional approval and Chairman Mica responded that once the study
is completed he would take action. He does not want to move prior to that
time.
I�m set to testify on FAA Reauthorization March 27 before the House Aviation
Subcommittee. Administrator Blakey is also scheduled that day but on a
different panel. This is separate from the �04 DOT appropriations bill and
testimony that we�re working.
Nothing new this week from the FAA regarding the pay dispute. There is bill
language being circulated on the Hill that would insert the Federal Service
Impasses Panel (FSIP) as the final arbiter for these impasses. I�ve seen some
of the proposed language and informed Congress that we would be in favor of
the concept. I understand that the FAA may also favor this in some form. This
has not been introduced as legislation yet and I don�t know how likely this is
to ever become law. I�ll keep all advised.
Wally Pike
#69, March
21, 2003
S.338 now has 12 co-sponsors, all Democrats. Same as last few weeks, we�re
continuing to meet with senators and/or their staff to try to get more
co-sponsors, especially Republicans. Your help as constituents is appreciated.
No legislation offered on the House side yet. My meeting with Don Young is
firm for March 26.
We�re finalizing the testimony and oral comments for the FAA Reauthorization
hearings on March 27. I especially want to thank Kurt Comisky and Dave Hoover
for their help on this.
I�m also working on our annual FAA appropriations testimony, due by April 11.
No oral comments will be allowed at this hearing.
We�re also developing the new ADIZ procedures with promising possibilities.
Again, thanks to Dave Hoover and FSOSC Liaison Tim DeGrazio for working this
project.
Unfortunately I couldn�t attend the FacRep training this week in RNO but I
understand it went very well. Reports on all the above will be sent to our
website.
We are continuing our A76 alternative meetings with the FAA. No commitments to
report but I want to thank Mark Jaffe and Donna Holmes for their efforts on
our behalf.
Nothing new on the pay dispute. It does look like the FSIP legislation I
mentioned last week might be offered in the House during the next few weeks.
The National Membership Meeting in San Antonio is fast approaching. Looks like
we�ll have plenty to discuss. Hopefully I�ll see several of you there.
Wally Pike
#70,
April 1, 2003
The FAA Reauthorization
Hearing went well last Thursday. The Administrator was on a panel by herself;
NATCA President John Carr, PASS President Mike Fanfalone and I made up the
second panel. NAATS� entire written testimony was made a part of the
congressional record and I was asked a few questions regarding the FAA
becoming a performance based organization, labor distribution reporting and
our statements about assuming more duties. My thanks to those that helped with
the testimony, especially Dave Hoover and Kurt Comisky, and the logistical
support provided by our Office Manager Denise DeStefano. Next stop is the
testimony for the House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, due by
April 11.
We are continuing to work closely with NATCA and PASS again this week on
legislation to address the FAA contracting out/privatization issues. S338 has
14 co-sponsors but we�re still waiting on the first Republican. House
legislation is still being discussed and we expect it will be offered next
week. Any differences between S.338 and the House legislation will then have
to be reconciled.
NE Regional Director Kurt Comisky and Regional Coordinator Tom Halligan
conducted an arbitration hearing last Friday at the Regional Office in
Burlington, Massachusetts. I participated as their witness and they did a good
job of getting the issues before the arbitrator. We would always prefer to
resolve issues satisfactorily before having to go to hearings but, obviously,
that�s not always the case. I think it�s extremely important to send the FAA a
message about our determination to enforce the provisions of our contract and
I congratulate Kurt and Tom for doing this. My hope is that we�ll see more
regional arbitrations for those issues where FAA management stubbornly refuses
to honor its commitments.
The NAATS National Meeting in San Antonio is now less than three weeks away.
Hopefully we�ll have a good turnout by our membership and I expect an
excellent exchange of information and views. Unfortunately Chairman Don Young
was unable to accept our invitation to speak, as he will be in Alaska that
week; he sends his regrets.
Wally Pike
#71,
April 11, 2003
It�s been a busy and
eventful week on Capitol Hill. I worked with Senator Lautenberg�s staff for
the FAA Reauthorization Hearings held yesterday and, at the hearing, the
Senator again stated his opposition to ATC privatization in general and the
A76 study in particular. He questioned the panel, including Administrator
Blakey, on the purpose and cost of the study as well as the expected outcome.
Senator Lautenberg has also circulated a "Dear Colleague" letter to the other
senators requesting their support for S.338. I�ve sent a copy of this letter
to NAATS Webmaster John Dibble for posting on our website along with the FAA
response to the Senator�s earlier letter of February 25. I met again with the
Senator�s staff this morning to determine the next course of action.
Congressional representatives from both NATCA and PASS were present and we are
all coordinating our activities to try to get more Republican co-sponsors on
this legislation.
The big news on the House side is that Congressman Oberstar offered his
legislation yesterday in H.R.1711 (copy will be posted on our website). The
language is different but it accomplishes the same goal -- ensuring "that
functions relating to the air traffic control system are carried out directly
by the United States Government." We worked closely with the Congressman�s
staff in formulating this language and I�m happy to say that we already have
two Republican original co-sponsors: LoBiondo (NJ) and Quinn (NY). I want to
thank EA Regional Coordinator Ron Consalvo for all his work with Congressman
LoBiondo -- it paid off. Thanks also to Dave Lombard at RDU who has also been
working very hard on Congressman Hayes; we�re definitely getting closer.
We�ll continue to work with both the Senate and the House to reconcile the two
bills and to get more co-sponsors. Republicans are particularly important. If
you are a constituent of a Republican on the Senate Commerce, Science and
Transportation Committee or the House Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee, we need your help. I urge you to contact your congressional
representative(s) and ask them to co-sponsor S.338 or H.R.1711, as the case
may be. We have the committee members posted on the website and I�ll also list
the Republicans in this Update. If you need any other help feel free to
contact me. Again, this is the best opportunity we will have for legislation.
Wally Pike
Senate
Commerce, Science and Transportation
John McCain (AZ)
Ted Stevens (AK)
Conrad Burns (MT)
Trent Lott (MS)
Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX)
Olympia Snowe (ME)
Sam Brownback (KS)
Gordon Smith (OR)
Peter Fitzgerald (IL)
John Ensign (NV)
George Allen (VA)
John Sununu (NH)
House
Transportation and Infrastructure
Don Young (AK)
Thomas Petri (WI)
Sherwood Boehlert (NY)
Howard Coble (NC)
John Duncan (TN)
Wayne Gilchrest (MD)
John Mica (FL)
Peter Hoekstra (MI)
Jack Quinn (NY)
Vernon Ehlers (MI)
Spencer Bachus (AL)
Steven LaTourette (OH)
Sue Kelly (NY)
Richard Baker (LA)
Bob Ney (OH)
Frank LoBiondo (NJ)
Jerry Moran (KS)
Gary Miller (CA)
Jim DeMint (SC)
Doug Bereuter (NE)
Johnny Isakson (GA)
Robin Hayes (NC)
Robert Simmons (CT)
Shelley Moore Capito (WV)
Henry Brown, Jr. (SC)
Timothy Johnson (IL)
Dennis Rehberg (MT)
Todd Platts (PA)
Sam Graves (MO)
Mark Kennedy (MN)
Bill Shuster (PA)
John Boozman (AR)
John Sullivan (OK)
Chris Chocola (IN)
Bob Beauprez (CO)
Michael Burgess (TX)
Max Burns (GA)
Steve Pearce (NM)
Jim Gerlach (PA)
Mario Diaz-Balart (FL)
Jon Porter (NV)
#72,
April 18, 2003
Pretty much status quo this week.
S.338 is getting some interest from Senate Republicans. Thanks to those of you
who have responded and contacted your congressional representatives, it makes
a difference. Markup on this bill is scheduled for May 1 and Congress expects
to have FAA Reauthorization completed by the end of May � first part of June
timeframe.
There was apparently some question from bargaining unit members about whether
we were included in H.R. 1711. Please don�t rely on press reports for your
information; the Bill language clearly includes us but if you need more, check
out Congressman Oberstar�s introductory remarks (on our website). I worked
closely with the Aviation Subcommittee Staff on this Bill and there is no
doubt that we�re included. Now the challenge becomes to get it enacted into
law. Fortunately both Congressman Oberstar and Senator Lautenberg are strongly
on our side in this issue but we need to help them out.
Now is the time to press your Congressional Representatives and get them to
co-sponsor both of these bills.
Nothing new on pay negotiations. Administrator Blakey reiterated in her
testimony at FAA Reauthorization that the FAA is "very close" to resuming
negotiations with the unions. As has been the case for the past several
months, we�re prepared at any time to resume meaningful negotiations.
Nothing new from the FLRA on the two pay-related ULPs. A reminder -- these
complaints address (1) the FAA refusal to implement all of the work rules and
(2) the FAA�s insistence that the law requires dollar for dollar offsets inn
pay negotiations.
I intend to resume facility visits in May, beginning with DCA, ISP and MIV.
I�m coordinating exact dates with Regional Director Donna Holmes. In June I
plan to visit the GL facilities with Regional Director Jack O�Connell. In July
I�ll do the CE Region tour with Regional Director Mike Terry. I look forward
to these membership meetings and I�ll fulfill every commitment I�ve made for a
facility visit.
Bear with me on this one - we are working on our appeal to the FAA decision to
deny the challenge to the Department of Transportation listing of the
activities performed by the Flight Service Air Traffic Controllers in its 2002
inventory of commercial activities. We will have it filed by April 24 with a
copy on our website.
The PWC had it�s meeting here in DC this week and I spoke at PWC AFSS Domain
Breakout. It was good to see so many familiar faces in the audience,
especially the NAATS members. I appreciated the invitation and the opportunity
to participate.
At this meeting I also observed the panel that included the FAA A76
representatives. I have no problem with these individuals personally; I
understand the roles they play and the fact that they didn�t create the A76
problem. I do, however, reject the idea that I should be appreciative of a
study that requires me to compete for my own job, with an uncertain outcome,
and, that somehow I am better off because of this. The kindest comment I can
make on this is that it�s creative spin. As I�ve said in every forum, my goal
is to stop this study as soon as we possibly can.
The National Membership and BOD meetings are next week. By all accounts these
will be interesting meetings and I look forward to seeing several of you in
San Antonio.
Wally Pike
#73, May 2, 2003
This week has been very busy
congressionally with S.338. We became aware of a proposed amendment by Senator
Gordon Smith (OR) that would have eliminated us from the bill. I worked with
NM Regional Director Darrell Mounts, who contacted MMV AFSS to provide
constituent feedback on how critical our services are and how we needed to be
included in any inherently governmental legislation for air traffic. Our
congressional relations expert also contacted Smith�s office directly. By
Wednesday evening Smith had decided not to offer his amendment.
On Thursday morning I attended the Senate FAA Reauthorization Hearing. Senator
Lautenberg modified his bill to reflect the HR1711 language but decided not to
offer it at the hearing due to the lack of Republican support. I�m working
closely with his staff and the plan now is to raise the issue on the Senate
floor next week.
We need your help on this bill. The FAA has identified FSS as their primary
objection to the legislation. It�s the same old rhetoric, "A76 is just a study
and Congress should allow the FAA the flexibility to conduct these studies."
Unfortunately some Republican Senators have bought into this argument.
The primary Senators that need to be educated on our critical functions to
aviation safety are:
Gordon Smith (OR),
Olympia Snowe (ME),
James Inhofe (OK).
We�re working the issue here and have asked Darrell Mounts, Kurt Comisky and
Mark Jaffe to contact our members at MMV, BGR and MLC. We have to emphasize
our value and the need for our inclusion in any bill language.
I very much appreciate those members who have helped us out on this. As it
stands right now, we�re included in the language but that is subject to change
when the matter is discussed next week. The outcome is very much in doubt; any
additional help you can provide is appreciated. Feel free to contact me with
any questions or concerns; the Directors are also knowledgeable of these
events.
HR1711 picked up another co-sponsor this week. Congressman
Acevedo-Vila has signed on thanks to SJU FacRep Joe Melon.
The National Membership Meeting was a great success last week, providing all
with an excellent opportunity to see and interact. The accommodations were
wonderful; thanks to SW Regional Director Mark Jaffe and Administrator Kate
Breen for all their meeting coordination. The membership decided on LAS as our
meeting site next year in a close call over the EA Region proposal of BAL.
The Board of Directors meeting was also very productive. Minutes of this
meeting will be published as soon as they are approved.
One of the matters we discussed at both meetings was how we will structure the
membership agenda in the future. It�s been proposed that we invite more FAA
speakers so that we can qualify for duty time similar to PWC or the various
coalition meetings. We can also schedule concurrent training to take more
advantage of the time in Article 4. Or, we can do it the way we did this year.
Let your regional representatives know your thoughts on this.
Another suggestion we received was from Curt Lasley, DCA AFSS. He proposed
that we schedule a PAC Fund Golf Tournament to coincide with the meeting in
LAS next year. I talked with FAA First Credit Union and it looks like they
will agree to sponsor the event. We�ll keep you advised as we work out the
details.
Unfortunately we�ve had our share of medical troubles in NAATS lately. WP
Regional Director Mike Stafford has been approved for the leave transfer
program and has surgery scheduled shortly. We missed Mike in San Antonio and
we wish both him and his wife Sharon best wishes on their recoveries.
FSOSC Liaison Patsy Rowe had to go to the hospital emergency room in San
Antonio and then spent the next several days in ICU. I�m happy to say that
she�s home now in the care of her daughter. Patsy has asked me to express her
appreciation to all those who contributed to the collection for her. We�ve
learned that she will be approved for leave transfer. Contact NAATS HQ if you
want to send cards or flowers.
Wally Pike
#74,
May 9, 2003
H.R. 1711 now has 9
co-sponsors, including 5 Republicans. Thanks to John Lynch and the membership
at EKN for convincing Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) to join us.
House markup is May 14; currently the language has not been amended but the
FAA is lobbying very hard to have us excluded. It�s expected that meetings and
coordination will only increase through next week and it�s not clear how
Congressman Oberstar will ultimately react. All we can do is keep working the
issue.
Latest news is that the Senate will take up FAA Reauthorization next week.
S.338 has 18 co-sponsors (all Democrats) and still includes us but the FAA is
at work here too. We�re continuing to work with NATCA and PASS on both these
bills and, again, much back room maneuvering is going on by all parties.
Earlier today we received the latest pay proposal from the FAA. Until we can
thoroughly analyze and discuss it I will withhold comment. Plans are to meet
with the FAA later this month to respond.
A reporter from the NY Times contacted me this week. The subject was the
pending legislation and A76 study. During the discussion it became clear
there�s a lot of misinformation being circulated about what we do and who we
are. I guess, by this time, that shouldn�t be a surprise to any of us.
Finally, we�ve just received the DOT decision on our "Appeal of the FAA
decision to deny the NAATS initial challenge to the DOT 2002 Commercial
Activities Inventory" (copy on our website). As expected DOT denied our appeal
but it�s important that we create the paper trail on the process.
Wally Pike
#75,
May 15, 2003
The House Aviation Subcommittee Hearing
on FAA Reauthorization was held yesterday. The bill language protects NATCA
controllers from out-sourcing but not NAATS or PASS. We worked for the past
several days with Congressman Oberstar on an amendment that would have
included both NAATS and PASS. We thought we had the necessary Republican
support but, at the last minute, Mr. Oberstar decided to withhold offering his
amendment due to a lack of firm Republican commitment.
We will now work the issue in the full Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee scheduled to meet next week on May 21. Of course our good friend Don
Young is Chairman and I expect to talk with him prior to the committee
meeting. There is some preliminary staff dialogue taking place today and
tomorrow between us and, on expert advice, we will wait to see how the
Chairman wants to proceed. He has consistently stated his opposition to this
A76 study. Depending on what Chairman Young says, we may be asking for your
help again at the 11th hour.
The House Reauthorization Bill contains a major victory for us. It establishes
the Federal Service Impasses Panel (FSIP) and binding arbitration as the final
resolution on our pay dispute with the FAA. Of course our hope is to reach
agreement with the FAA but, if that fails, the FSIP is a fair way to put
finality to this matter. I�ll express our gratitude to Chairman Young for this
language when I see him. He has said all along he would take care of the
matter; hopefully this language will survive the committee and conference
process.
The pay proposal we received from the FAA was substantively nothing new. This
time they�re removed all the smoke and mirrors and simply stated that they
want to move us directly into core with no pay increase. We are formulating
our response and we expect to meet with the FAA shortly.
Wally Pike
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