May 1st, 2025 New England Bi-Monthly Regional Update
From Steve Brown, NATCA New England Regional ARVP
NATCA’s Legislative Push Update
From Jamie Green, NATCA New England Legislative Chair, PVD
Following NATCA in Washington (NiW), NATCA legislative activists have been hard at work during the Congressional recess. We have continued our outreach to protect our rights and benefits through in-district meetings, labor round tables, and setting up facility tours over the past two weeks.
This week, members of the National Legislative Committee are back on Capitol Hill alongside our Union’s Government Affairs team, continuing to educate lawmakers and advocate on your behalf. We’re currently planning to have additional members lobbying on our behalf the week of May 5th as well.
The House Oversight Committee has a meeting on April 30th for a markup of the budget legislation and then will proceed to the House Ways and Means Committee. Our continued efforts remain on protecting our benefits and rights. In the upcoming weeks, it is imperative that when we have a call to action, we all step up.
As of today, with our Union’s email campaign, more than 9,500 participants have sent nearly 29,000 emails to Congress. Currently, New England only has 41% participation in this email campaign.
Please take action if you have not yet, and send the email by clicking here. It takes under 1 minute, and the more constituents who reach out, the more impactful this will be!
Our next initiative will be a handwritten letter campaign. During the Shutdown, this was very effective for NATCA. Many members of Congress read these on the floor, and it gave each NATCA member a chance to tell their story. Expect more details shortly on the next call to action.
I want to thank you all during these uncertain times for everything that you do. If at any time you have a question, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected].
Workers Compensation Information
From Tom Lefebvre, NATCA New England OWCP Rep, ZBW
In the past, I have had the unfortunate experience of working an aircraft before a collision. I had taken a break less than 5 minutes before the accident occurred. I was pulled out of the operation on my way back from break and spent the rest of the day waiting for a potential drug and alcohol test. Thankfully, my FacRep was working and gave me some much-needed guidance. He helped me sit down, collect my thoughts, file an ATSAP, and then an OSHA 301 and CA-1.
I went through the entire session in my head, realized that I had called weather frequently, issued safe altitudes, and nothing I did contributed to the collision. It was just an accident. But there was some doubt left in the back of my mind. I thought about the accident for several days, and I wasn’t even the last controller that spoke to the pilot.
In January, I took over as OWCP rep, and I have learned a lot about the workers’ comp process and options available to employees. Our job can be stressful, and workplace injuries can occur, both physical and mental. I thought about that accident for days, I’m glad my FacRep sat me down and had me fill out the ECOMP paperwork. I didn’t feel I needed to take time off, but it’s an option that’s available. We can seek out mental health professionals for traumatic stress, and with this job, these events can occur and make a lasting impact.
The DOL will pay for mental health professionals if you file and follow the proper procedures. Reach out to me or any OWCP rep, and we can guide you through the process. The OWCP Committee has contacts with mental health professionals who will work through telemedicine and are familiar with ATC and the Workers’ Comp process.
Most of the cases that OWCP reps see are going to be headset tone events. These events now require the employee to fill out an OSHA 301 form, I highly recommend taking the extra 2 minutes and following that up with a CA-1. Both of these are available on the Department of Labor ECOMP website, linked below. These forms start the process for claiming leave and medical financial assistance for any injury that occurs at work, and completing them can act as a type of record for future health issues.
There are important deadlines and requirements that are associated with many of these forms, and I am available to help. If you suffer an injury at work or have any OWCP issues, please reach out to me at 603-459-5379 or [email protected].
Safety Update
From Seth Myers, NATCA New England Safety Rep, ZBW
A reminder to all who may have missed it in a previous update, the ATSAP platform has received an upgrade! ATSAP, ATSAP-X, SAFER-FCT, CISP, and Partnership for Safety websites have transitioned to newer versions. As a result, all users need to reset their passwords. Please take a moment to reset your password. To reset your password, select “Log In,” then select “Forgot Password,” re-enter your existing username, and select “Continue” to receive an email to reset your new password. If you are having issues, please contact [email protected] or call the helpline at (202) 449-6360.
What happens when you fill out and file an ATSAP? Once you submit your ATSAP report, it is reviewed by an ATSAP analyst who removes personally identifiable information from your report. The analyst then links your report to other similar reports and attaches any other available information regarding the event. Your report now goes to the Event Review Committee (ERC). The ERC is comprised of a member of the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization (ATO) management, a NATCA representative, and a member of the FAA’s Air Traffic Safety Oversight Service (AOV). The ERC evaluates each report submitted to the program to determine whether it meets the requirements set forth in the MOU between FAA and NATCA. If your report is accepted, you will receive a response from the ERC. You can view the responses on the ATSAP website under the message tab. You should ensure your contact info is correct, as they may email you a message. Your personal email address can be added. To update your contact information on your ATSAP account, click on “update user details” and enter your personal email address. Make sure this address is one you have access to and check regularly.
Your ATSAP report can have several different actions taken by the ERC:
Data collection – Report taken and added to similar reports.
Share report with facility – ERC request to facility for mitigations.
Skill enhancement Training – Normally not assigned from a single event.
Referral to Professional Standards – Peer to Peer program.
Corrective Action Request (CAR) created.
If you have questions about the ATSAP program, process, or any other safety issues, please reach out to me at [email protected].
Announcements & Upcoming Events
Do you have questions regarding your FAA medical?
Our Controlled Chaos team is coordinating with New England Regional Flight Surgeon Dr. Ray to hold another briefing. He will be answering questions that New England members have submitted, ensuring that our members are getting answers to pressing issues regarding their medical clearances.
We are still looking for more questions, so if you have a question you’d like Dr. Ray to answer, please fill out the question submission form by clicking here.
The team has not yet confirmed a date for this upcoming briefing, so keep an eye out for an announcement on when Dr. Ray will be answering your questions.
To be able to change the future, you need to learn about the past! NATCA 101 is an engaging and interactive learning course designed to give members a solid foundation in understanding NATCA’s mission and operations.
Building a basic understanding of our Union and then enhancing it with personal involvement are crucial steps toward a stronger local, a more influential national Union, and a better future for your family.
Join the NATCA Reloaded Committee for this month’s course on Thursday, May 15 at 1:00pm ET.
Sign up on the NATCA Portal at https://portal.natca.org/Default.aspx
Last call for Archie League nominations!
The Archie League Award exhibits a variety of aviation “saves”. Some of these “saves” involve a team of controllers working together, while others are the result of one controller’s efforts. This is the chance to recognize our colleagues who remained calm under pressure, handled complex situations well, and were exemplars of our profession. While many will say they were “just doing their job”, this is the opportunity to highlight these controllers!
Nominations are open for the 21st Annual Archie League Awards for the best saves that occurred at your facility between May 1, 2024 and April 30, 2025. Submissions must be received by May 15, 2025. The Awards will be presented to the winners at Communicating for Safety (CFS), which runs September 15-17, 2025 in Las Vegas, NV.
To submit your nomination visit https://www.natca.org/events/cfs/archie_nomination_form/
Do you know someone who consistently inspires, motivates, and elevates those around them?
Don’t let their dedication go unnoticed! Nominate them for the 2025 NATCA National Professionalism Award. Nominations for members in good standing will be considered for the award. There is no limit to the amount of nominations for one individual.
Why Nominate?
- Every nominee is recognized! NATCA Professional Standards personally reaches out to thank each nominee—win or not—because professionalism deserves to be celebrated.
- Winners receive national recognition. Award recipients from each service area will be honored at Communicating for Safety (CFS) in Las Vegas September 15-17, 2025.
- It’s easy to nominate! Just share a brief work history along with examples and stories of how your nominee inspires professionalism.
The deadline to nominate is June 1, 2025. Don’t wait—submit your nomination today!
Nominate now at www.natca.org/professionalismaward Questions? Email us at [email protected]
