Federal Labor Relations Authority Certifications

AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION SPECIALISTS (AIR) This group is composed of aerospace engineers, senior engineers, program managers, flight test pilots, aircraft certification assistants, and various administrative and technical support personnel. These bargaining unit employees approve new designs and modifications of aircraft, engines, propellers, and related components and accessories.

The FLRA certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative for AIR employees on Sept. 12, 2000.

AIR WORTHINESS SPECIALISTS (AIR-110) This group also develops, coordinates, and assesses national policy and procedures related to certification, certification delegation, and continued airworthiness issues as they relate to aircraft design, manufacture, modification, and maintenance.

The FLRA certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative for AIR-110 employees, formerly known as Aircraft Certification Airworthiness Programs (AIR-140) employees, on Nov. 9, 2004.

AIRPORTS DIVISION (ARP) NATCA represents Airports Division employees in Airports District Offices (ADO) nationwide. Employees are responsible for the distribution of all airport improvement funds, coordination of airport design, oversight of land purchases, and annual safety inspections.

The FLRA certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative for ARP employees on Aug. 31, 2000.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS (ATC) NATCA represents the U.S. FAA air traffic controller workforce of dedicated and well-trained men and women. Air traffic control specialists (ATCS) work in airport control towers, terminal radar approach control facilities, and in air route traffic control centers. These employees coordinate the safe, orderly, and expeditious movement of over 140 million operations and nearly one billion aviation passengers within the National Airspace System (NAS) each year.

The FLRA officially certified NATCA as a union and as the exclusive bargaining representative of ATC employees on June 19, 1987.

AUTOMATION SUPPORT SPECIALISTS (AOS) NATCA represents Automation Support Specialists in en route centers and terminal field facilities nationwide. Computer specialists, computer scientists, electronic engineers, and air traffic control specialists make up this group. Their primary function is to provide operational computer software support and maintenance for en route centers and terminal environments.

 The FLRA certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative for the AOS employees on June 1, 2000.

AVIATION TECHNICAL SYSTEM SPECIALISTS (ATSS) NATCA represents the employees who support the work and overall tasks of ATC and the NAS, including training, planning, and requirements at the three ATO service centers.

The FLRA certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative for ATSS employees on Oct. 26, 2010.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS (DOD) NATCA represents the air traffic control specialists (ATCS) employed by the Department of Defense (DoD) in three DoD towers: Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point (NKT), N.C., Kalaeloa Tower (JRF), Hawaii, and Los Alamitos Army Airfield (SLI), Calif.

The FLRA certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative of its first local in the DOD, NKT,  on Sept. 6, 1990.

The FLRA certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative of its second local in the DOD, JRF, on Oct. 26, 2000.

The FLRA certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative of its third local in the DOD, SLI, on Aug. 11, 2009.

DRUG ABATEMENT DIVISION/COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT BRANCH INSPECTORS (DAI) NATCA represents the inspectors who operate out of seven FAA regional offices, Miami, the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, and FAA Headquarters who report directly to the Office of Aerospace Medicine. These members ensure that air carriers operating within
the U.S. are in compliance with FAA/Department of Transportation Drug and Alcohol Testing regulations and policies.

The FLRA certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative for DAI employees, also known as AAM-800 employees, on Jan. 2, 2002.

ENGINEERS & ARCHITECTS (E&A) NATCA represents the engineers and architects who design new ATC facilities, construct or remodel new or existing ATC facilities, and replace aging NAS equipment. They evaluate systems and provide technical support to fix problems with NAS equipment. In addition, they analyze radar and communications coverage, correct deficiencies in existing systems, propose changes and upgrades, and present those changes to the agency to secure funding and support. Engineers determine whether facilities will be replaced or upgraded, develop plans for improvements and implement upgrades and construction, installation projects, and much more. Employees in this unit are assigned to both Technical Operations (Tech Ops) Engineering Services and the Service Centers. They are located in all nine FAA regional offices, three service centers, and many Technical Operations District Offices. The engineers in Oklahoma City and Atlantic City in the Flight Inspection Services and Operations Support organizations are also part of this E&A unit. Operations Support provides field support, maintains the configuration management of systems, and performs modifications of equipment. Flight Inspection Services provides airborne flight inspection of Navigational Aids and procedures.

The FLRA certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative for E&A employees on Nov. 10, 1997.

FINANCE MANAGEMENT (AFN) NATCA represents the employees included in the AFN bargaining unit in FAA offices nationwide. This includes Finance (ABA), Acquisitions (ACQ), Information Technology (AIT), and Regional Operations (ARO) throughout the Agency. Members in these lines of business provide shared services to all employees across the Agency and to the public. Professions represented include real estate, acquisition, materiel/material, property, building services, accounting, payroll, finance, budget, and computer specialists. They provide materiel/material purchasing and inventory control, asset management and accountability, land and associated fixtures purchasing, budget planning, payroll for all employees, accounts receivable and payable, network planning, programming, and computer support.

The FLRA certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative for FAA AFN employees on Jan. 25, 2016.

(The FLRA certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative for Financial Services Employes (ABA) employees on Feb. 7, 2000. These employees are now part of the AFN bargaining unit.)

(The FLRA certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative for Regions and Centers (ARC) on April 26, 2000. These employees are now part of the AFN bargaining unit.)

(The FLRA certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative for Logistics, Financial Services, and IT (ARC NAL employees on Oct. 11, 2000. T hese employees are now part of the AFN bargaining unit.)

FLIGHT PROCEDURES TEAM (FPT) NATCA represents the employees who manage and facilitate the FAA’s Instrument Flight Procedures Program in accordance with National Policy directives. A primary function of the FPT is to design, coordinate, and integrate instrument flight procedures into the NAS. FPT specialists must have a working knowledge of the responsibilities of national/regional organizations (i.e. WAAS, NextGen, PBN offices, etc.) and other FAA Lines of Business involved in the coordination of Instrument Flight Procedures.

The FLRA certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative for FPT employees on Jan. 31, 2013.

FLIGHT SERVICE SPECIALISTS (FSS) NATCA represents all 17 Flight Service Stations in Alaska, including four hub locations — Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai, and Palmer. These controllers provide airport advisory services, pre-flight briefings, and search and rescue operations, among other services.

The FLRA certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative for FSS employees on Sept. 4, 2008.

NOTICE TO AIRMEN (NOTAM) NATCA represents employees at the FAA’s David J. Hurley Air Traffic Control Systems Command Center’s (ATCSCC) Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) Office (USNOF) Unit in Warrenton, Va. The members in this bargaining unit are responsible for operational compliance with policies and procedures, and communicate this data to pilots on any issue that impacts safety of flight.

The FLRA certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative for employees who issue NOTAMs on March 23, 1999.

PRIVATELY CONTRACTED AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS (FCT) NATCA represents this group of ATCSs who work for three private employers: Midwest Air Traffic Control Services, Robinson Aviation (RVA), Inc., and Serco Management Services, Inc. These contract towers tend to be smaller in size and operation, typically employing between five and 10 controllers, many of whom are retired FAA and military air traffic controllers.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative of the Union’s first FCT, Central Wisconsin Tower in Mosinee, Wis., on Feb. 21, 1997.

REGIONAL COUNSEL’S OFFICE/LEGAL DIVISION (AGC) NATCA represents the employees in eight different regions in the FAA Legal Division. The members in this bargaining unit are attorneys, para-professionals, and other administrative staff assigned to the Legal Division who provide expertise on legal issues, procedures and interpretations, and their implications to both the FAA and NATCA members.

The FLRA certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative for AGC employees on Jan. 4, 2001.

STAFF SUPPORT SPECIALISTS (SSS) NATCA represents the staff specialists who are air traffic controllers located in service centers, air route traffic control centers, terminal radar approach controls, and airport traffic control towers. Staff Specialists support the daily operation of the air traffic system through a variety of functions. Primary responsibilities are to initiate procedural and traffic management changes to enhance the air traffic controller’s ability to move aircraft through the system and support the work and overall tasks of ATCSs, including quality assurance, training, and personnel. Because many staff specialists are former ATCSs, they have an intimate understanding of ATCS needs.

The FLRA certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative for SSS employees on Jan. 7, 2002.

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT COORDINATORS (TMC/S) NATCA represents these employees in en route centers and terminal facilities. These employees maximize the NAS by coordinating the flow of aircraft on a national scale. They are continuously aware of the traffic flow, status of navigational aids, weather conditions, and traffic forecasts to preclude situations that may cause sector saturation, excessive en route and terminal delays, and flights with undesirable atmospheric conditions.

The FLRA certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative for TMC/S employees on May 25, 2000.