This Agreement is between the National Association of Air Traffic Controllers (NAATS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It resolves all issues between the parties involving the assignment of bargaining unit members to the Weather Unit at the Air Traffic Control System Command Center. Within thirty days of this Agreement's effective date, the FAA shall post it in the Read and Initial binders in facilities where NAATS bargaining unit members are employed.

Section 1. The parties agree to jointly submit the requisite petition to FLRA, within thirty days of the effective date of this Agreement, for inclusion of the weather unit at ATCSCC in the NAATS Bargaining Unit.

Section 2. If the FLRA does grant the parties' petition, employees assigned to the Weather Unit shall be covered by parties' term collective bargaining agreement. If the FLRA does not grant the parties' petition, this agreement is null and void, and none of the other provisions contained herein are enforceable.

Section 3. FAA has determined that the positions in the Weather Unit are classified at the FG-13 level. Therefore, permanent employees assigned to Weather Unit positions shall be compensated at the FG-13 level.

Section 4. Employees assigned to Weather Unit positions are entitled to the same rights and privileges accorded a journeyman specialist in an Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS).

Section 5. Before the FAA publishes the initial national vacancy announcement for Weather Unit positions, it shall provide NAATS the opportunity to review and comment to the underlying official position description. NAATS shall provide its comments, if any, within ten calendar days of NAATS' receipt of the position description.

Section 6. The parties recognize that members of the bargaining unit generally possess the skills and abilities which would qualify them for promotions to Weather Unit positions. Consequently, the FAA shall first consider applicants from the NAATS bargaining unit before any others.

Section 7. The FAA shall make every reasonable attempt to back fill any vacancies in FAA facilities caused by promotions to Weather Unit positions under the initial vacancy announcement.

Section 8. Within thirty (30) days of the signing of this agreement, the Eastern Regional Air Traffic Division Manager, or his/her designee, and the Eastern Regional NAATS Director, or his/her designee, shall meet and discuss giving suitable awards to employees who were participants in the initial Weather Unit test project. The Parties at the regional level shall also discuss what awards the FAA shall also consider giving to employees in the Eastern Region who were adversely affected by the absence of coworkers who participated in the test project.

Section 9. Nothing in this agreement constitutes a waiver of a union statutory or contractual right. With the exception of Section 5 and 6, the FAA retains its statutory and contractual rights.

Effective on the 28^th day of August, 1998.

Date: 8/28/98