Vol. 11-9 October Part 1

Imminent vote to determine if controllers and engineers will walk together or stand alone

Additional employees fighting together to improve working conditions within the Federal Aviation Administration. More individuals lobbying on NATCA's behalf on Capitol Hill. An increase in people belonging to the NATCA bargaining unit. Additional contributors to the NATCA political action committee. Adding it all up, if FAA engineers vote yes in favor of NATCA representation, it amounts to greater strength and power for the union in Congress, the White House and aviation community.

NATCA members have the advantages of a union who will file grievances on their behalf and whose elected leaders and national office staff will fight for issues such as improved equipment and technology, additional staffing and better pay and benefits for controllers. Imagine if controllers didn't have the union to act for them. Imagine what it's like to be an FAA engineer. 

Here's a glimpse. In mid-October, a massive organizational restructuring will take place moving almost 85 percent of the engineering workforce into a new organization. Engineers weren't consulted at all because they don't have a union representing them. The FAA contractually doesn't owe them anything. This will change if FAA engineers vote yes for NATCA representation.

The Federal Labor Relations Authority will mail ballots on Oct. 14. Ballots will be counted on Oct. 30 beginning at 11:15 a.m. at FLRA headquarters in Washington, D.C. Check out the communications section of NATCA's web page for election results (www.natca.org).

While engineers are deciding whether to check the box next to yes on their ballot or the box next to no, NATCA members should act as an information source.

"Talk to engineers at your facility about NATCA membership," said Organizing Committee Chair Rich Phillips. "Make it a point to approach them and ask if they have any questions about NATCA. If they don't, simply tell them we look forward to their inclusion in the NATCA family."

Posters and buttons were sent to almost all FAA facilities urging engineers to vote "yes." NATCA members received a button, 'I support NATCA engineers.' Its purpose is to trigger conversation between the two groups. "NATCA members should wear their buttons daily to show support for NATCA engineers," said Phillips. 

Phillips, along with Chicago Center Controller Kevin Christy and Great Lakes Region Vice President Jim Poole, were instrumental in NATCA's campaign to organize engineers. The three traveled to facilities handing out informational packages and informing engineers of NATCA membership. "We stressed that only through collective bargaining and union recognition will their profession be properly represented," said Phillips. "Like controllers, engineers need to have a voice in determining working conditions and other professional outcomes."

"We've developed a strong foundation of support based on information and facts," said Floyd Majors, an FAA engineer in the Northwest Mountain Region. Majors admits the wait is somewhat frustrating. "We are looking forward to the vote, as well as a successful outcome." NATCA has the same wish. "We are looking forward to the opportunity to work hand in hand with engineers," said Phillips.

So, how did engineers decide it was NATCA they wanted representing them? "When considering our options-NATCA, Professional Airways Systems Specialists, American Federation of Government Employees-it became apparent that within the FAA, NATCA would be the best organization to strongly support us," said Majors. "Engineers wanted a union familiar with FAA policies and tactics. NATCA will bring resources already well developed within FAA and we can hit the ground running.

"With the massive reorganization taking place come major changes. Unfortunately, we have very little voice and participation in the outcome of these changes," said Majors. "If the election outcome is positive, engineers will have the right to a voice. Depending on engineer participation, we can have a strong and powerful voice. It's up to us."

But, it's up to NATCA members as well. "We must line-up behind FAA engineers in support of their inclusion in NATCA," said President-Elect Mike McNally. "We need to broaden our vision and move forward-not alone, but with FAA engineers-marching along with us. Banning together will allow our unified voice to be heard in the halls of Congress, White House and in the aviation community. Together, we can make a difference."

President says thank you, but not good-bye

Dear friends and members:

Although I have written many columns in my six years as president, this one is certainly the most difficult, for it is my last. As I mull it over in my mind, I realize I cannot let the opportunity pass without extending my appreciation to all those I've worked with along the way.

First and foremost is the membership. To the activists who work diligently on behalf of this great union; to those who stood by me in support; to those who taught me and helped us forge a better product through our disagreements; to those who simply believed enough in a better life to be a part of NATCA through their dues and PAC contributions; from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

Certainly not to be forgotten is the leadership of NATCA. Through two national executive boards and many standing committee chairs and members, we have faced adversity enough to last any union for decades. The fights were tough but the resolve of these leaders was tougher, both individually and collectively. To all of you, for your dedication, your tenacity, your caring and your leadership, I thank you.

In any organization there are the unsung heroes. I will never forget the NATCA staff. The long hours you've put in, the multitude of issues you continually handle, the resolution of the highly visible and the quiet elimination of the could have been, stand as a tribute to you, the day to day heroes who work on the members behalf. You are my friends, you are my family and I will miss you dearly. Although it pains me greatly to leave you, my anguish is compounded by the fact that all I have to leave you is my heartfelt thanks, and that I do.

Leading the list of heroes is John Thornton. From day one, and every day thereafter, John took this union from a dream of the heart and formed it into the reality we call NATCA. Without his spirit and tireless dedication to the people and the profession, I would not be here to write this column, nobody would. Through it all, John was my friend and my mentor, my confidant and advisor. We have all prospered from having known him and for that, John, I will always thank you.

Last, but certainly not least, is my wife. Sallie, through it all you were there for me. Despite the long weeks apart and the equally short weekends together you stood by me, the strength behind my convictions. Although it meant sacrificing so much of your life, you never wavered, never asking me to make the choice between the union I love and the woman I adore. For your steadfast support, for your love and your understanding, I can never thank you enough.

In attempting to formulate thoughts at a time like this, there is tendency for great reflection, something we should all make a conscious effort to do more of. This union has progressed, in a relatively short time from a fledgling splinter group to strong, viable, well respected entity within the Federal Aviation Administration, aviation, organized labor and the political arena. We've shared good times and bad but have emerged stronger as an organization each time. We should all be very proud of what we are today and it was all of you who made that possible. So, take a little time; reflect, rejoice and celebrate for what we are. Then, reenergize. Line up behind the new leadership. Teach them, help them, support them, as I pledge to do. This union belongs to the people and together we can reach heights beyond all expectations.

In closing, I refuse to say goodbye. I will simply end with the words of the great union organizer Cesar Chavez, "Our struggle is not easy. Those who oppose our cause are rich and powerful and they have many allies in high places. We are poor. Our allies are few. But we have something the rich do not own. We have our own bodies and spirits and the justice of our cause as our weapons."

Keep the faith,

Barry Krasner, president

NATCA seeks direct affilitation with AFL-CIO

The following letter was sent to AFL-CIO President John Sweeney on Sept. 18, 1997 from NATCA President Barry Krasner.

Dear President Sweeney,

Based on receipt of your letter dated September 12, 1997 and in anticipation of the Executive Council meeting scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20, this is to reconfirm to you, and to the other members of the Executive Council, our sincere desire to directly affiliate with the AFL-CIO.

In the 10 years since it's inception in 1987, NATCA has grown into a vigorous, well financed and well supported labor union that can enviably boast the highest percentage membership of any federal sector bargaining unit. We represent approximately 14,000 FAA air traffic controllers with a membership base of 10,500.

As you are aware, we were formally a party to a tenuous and indirect affiliation, by which we did not receive a charter, were not allowed to participate in our parent's affairs, and did not directly enjoy the protections of Article XX or Article XXI of the AFL-CIO Constitution. We accomplished a discontinuance of our former relationship in as respectful and dignified manner as possible, given extremely difficult circumstances. Our former parent has recently and formally notified the AFL-CIO that it will not object to our receiving the direct AFL-CIO affiliation we seek.

In support of our request for direct affiliation, I would respectfully call to your attention that no jurisdictional confliction with other AFL-CIO unions exists. In fact, we would bring to the federation a unique occupation not directly represented by the house of labor.

Additionally, our ongoing involvement in Public Employees Department and Transportation Trades Department, as well as our recent willingness to step up to the plate on behalf of our Teamster brothers and sisters should clearly demonstrate our active commitment to the family of labor and those they represent.

Certainly the most important reason to NATCA is our historical roots. It is clear to all that the temporary demise of the labor movement, and many subsequent setbacks as we continually strive to improve the quality of life for workers in America, was characterized by the destruction of PATCO in 1981. NATCA, as the successor union to PATCO has long been dedicated to assisting in the recovery of labor from those dark days and we firmly believe that we can best do so as a full fledged member of the AFL-CIO community, not from the outside. In fact, given the continued notoriety surrounding this issue, we believe our direct involvement would prove equally beneficial to the federation as a whole.

We also want to reiterate that which we have previously expressed to you and to a number of AFL-CIO affiliates. While we appreciate and are grateful for the several proposals of affiliation recently made to NATCA by other AFL-CIO unions, we are definitely not interested in reestablishing that type of affiliation. The NATCA membership recently voted, 99 percent to one percent, to withdraw from it's prior parent/subordinate relationship. We are a proud and independent group and believe that NATCA has earned its own place in the house of labor.

I am available on very short notice to attend the council meeting on Saturday, should you deem our presence advisable. For any possible discussion on the issue, you may certainly distribute this letter to the other council members.

Thank you for your continued courtesy and support.

In Solidarity,

Barry Krasner, president

Cc: John Leyden, PED, Ed Wytkind, TTD, NATCA National Executive Board

Controller thanks colleagues for overwhelming support

To all my friends:

I wish to thank all of you that have helped me through the most trying time of my life.

I know your thoughts and prayers are what's given me the strength to face each day with hope. The outpouring of love and kindness renews my faith in humanity. We need each other to lean on in difficult times and I have always found an arm to guide me, a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen through family and friends, known and unknown.

I want you all to be proud of yourselves as individuals and as a whole. I have received cards, letters, financial assistance and annual leave donations in excess of 1,600 hours from over 60 facilities across the country and I continue to receive encouragement on a daily basis. The overwhelming support is unbelievable.

You are a wonderful, caring group of people and I cannot find the words to express how greatly I appreciate your concern.

I thank you with all my heart!

With love,

Julie Macias, Las Vegas Tower

One on One

IFATCA president urges members to look beyond U.S. borders When envisioning free flight, do you imagine it stopping at the U.S. border? While controller work groups discuss implementation of a certain piece of equipment, do you think of speaking to controllers in other countries for input? And, when planning what work-related conferences to attend each year, do you consider traveling to a foreign country to interact with controllers from all over the world at the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers Conference? IFATCA President Preben Lauridsen urges controllers to do so. He believes it is important for NATCA members to remember air traffic control is a global occupation and there is a lot U.S. controllers can learn from its neighbors, and vice versa.The Air

Traffic Controller: What are the primary objectives of IFATCA?

Lauridsen: Our primary objective, and mission statement is to protect and safeguard the interests of the air traffic control profession. We also seek to inform the membership of air traffic developments around the world.

The Air Traffic Controller: Who is eligible for membership in IFATCA?

Lauridsen: IFATCA has three types of membership. Professional membership is open to organizations like NATCA whose technical objectives are the same as ours. Individuals may become members, provided their mother organization is not a member. The third category is corporate membership, primarily made up of organizations in the aviation industry, providers of the tools we use daily.

The Air Traffic Controller: When did IFATCA form and why? How many countries and how many controllers do you represent?

Lauridsen: IFATCA represents 40,000 controllers from 110 countries. Our organization formed in 1961 because there was a need to recognize that air traffic control is not a national affair-it is a cross border occupation. Controllers must talk, not only to controllers in their own countries, but to those in other nations. A lot can be learned from colleagues around the world.

The Air Traffic Controller: What role does IFATCA play when member organizations experience significant labor troubles?

Lauridsen: We have dealt with a range of labor troubles ranging from significant to less serious. If we talk about a simple salary negotiation, we say this needs to be solved by the trade union. But, when we look at more serious issues such as controller dismissals, we have a certain role to play such as writing letters to national authorities and holding meetings with ministers. Recently, IFATCA has financially assisted member associations involved in legal proceedings. Our role throughout the process is to act as mediator and try to find a solution.

We always are of the opinion that labor disputes should be settled through negotiations and mediation. Although sometimes there may be a need for strikes, we hope that disputes are settled much earlier. I have personally been involved in many cases where I was called upon to defend controller rights.

The Air Traffic Controller: How often and how do NATCA and IFATCA interact with one another?

Lauridsen: Since NATCA was elected into the IFATCA membership, it has attended all of our annual conferences. NATCA is also represented at regional meetings in the Americas region. I am pleased to note that, since NATCA's involvement in IFATCA, it has been actively involved in standing committee work. These groups discuss technical, professional and financial matters. NATCA President Barry Krasner has been actively involved in our financial committee. We've all looked forward to NATCA's involvement since PATCO ended. It is great to see Barry and his board take the attitude, "We are not looking for a passive membership. We want to actively participate."

The Air Traffic Controller: Do you believe the relationship between NATCA and IFATCA can be further improved?

Lauridsen: Certainly. There is a lot we can learn from NATCA concerning what is occurring in the United States. It is very well known that air traffic control is not just national, it is global, and NATCA can learn a great deal by looking outside its own nation. There are a lot of great initiatives going on around the world, even in smaller states, that you may not believe you could learn from. But, you can, and good things may be adopted. U.S. air traffic controllers should discuss their job with Canadians, Europeans, etc. An initiative like free flight is an example of something that does not stop at the U.S. border. It has been discussed and even adopted in other countries. Additionally, I know that discussions on issues such as privatization and controller productivity caught a lot of NATCA attention at the last conference.

The Air Traffic Controller: Why do you think it is important for NATCA members to be represented at the IFATCA conference?

Lauridsen: When you attend a national convention, wherever it may be, many people think it is a pleasure ride-the opportunity to travel to an exotic place and have fun for a week. This is not the case. People who believe this to be true should come and experience an IFATCA conference. Anyone who has attended one of our annual meetings will tell them, it is not a joy ride but a week of very hard work from early morning to late night. You give information away but also come home with facts and insights that are valuable to you. I get a little annoyed when people express concerns about money being spent on IFATCA. These accusations are raised by people who have never attended a conference or know very little about IFATCA, its mission and its work. I've never heard negative criticism from someone who attended an IFATCA conference. I believe that fact proves its value.

The Air Traffic Controller: What do you see as the major difference between U.S. air traffic control and that of other countries?

Lauridsen: Differences are few, but my personal observations when giving a brief description of U.S. air traffic control, would be that the volume of traffic in the United States could not be handled without the dedication of well-trained and well-educated controllers. It is only due to their skills that the U.S. air traffic control system is able to handle significant traffic loads. However, a negative aspect I see is that the United States has a tendency to isolate itself from the rest of the world and focus only on its own solutions.

The Air Traffic Controller: How do you compare air traffic control equipment in the United States to that of other countries?

Lauridsen: Technology in many other countries is well-ahead of what controllers have in the United States. The U.S. system is so large that it does take time to install new technologies, and the more sophisticated the equipment, the more difficult it is to implement. However, in the United States, as in many other countries around the world, there is a tendency to rely too much on technical solutions and try to automate air traffic control. This move only complicates things further. The engineer thinks he knows what controllers want, but he's never sat on a controller position. The only one who knows is the air traffic controller. We can't allow the human being to be replaced by a monitor. Air traffic management today, and in the years to come, requires full human control-both in the cockpit and on the ground.