Bulletin #17

Pay negotiations between the FAA and NAATS broke down today, Wednesday, June 28, when the management team abruptly announced, "We are through". NAATS had stated the need for a mediator because, to this point, the teams were unable to reach any agreement. It has become clear that the Agency does not value the NAATS bargaining unit as 2152, Air Traffic Controllers. The Agency's best offer, after 4 weeks of pay negotiations, was somewhat less than their agreement with the PASS bargaining unit. This offer would have required the NAATS bargaining unit to forfeit any retroactive pay and would result in less take home pay beginning 1 October 2000. The NAATS Pay Proposal parallels the NATCA Pay Plan.

NAATS had explored many means to achieve cost savings, including the possibility of reducing the size of the NAATS bargaining unit. The management team, although interested in the savings, insisted that the current political climate and technology would not allow for consolidation of facilities for at least ten years.

NAATS will make every effort to expedite a resolution to this stalemate even though the Agency's attorney declared he had no time to participate in such an effort prior to November. Please remember that until final resolution is reached, we still enjoy all the benefits of the current FG pay system, which includes within grade and annual increases. Also, the current contract "red book" remains in full force and effect.