Thu, Sep 11, 2003
Urges "FAA to Stop Issuing Furlough Threats and Playing
Political Games With Critical Programs"
After a less than
successful attempt to inflame the public over so-called safety
concerns in the use of non-Federal ATC personnel, NATCA is
complaining again... this time over a situation that they had a
hand in creating. The FAA, stymied by the fallout and the lack of
an approved FAA Reauthorization Bill (needed for the FAA to
continue planned operations) due, in part, to NATCA's opposition to
the mostly non-union staffers involved in this matter, has
indicated that the lack of approved legislation may require the
need to furlough employees if the FAA Reauthorization Bill is not
passed by Sept. 30.
According to National Air Traffic Controllers Association
President John Carr, "The Administration now has to deal with the
political mess it created by defying the expressed will of both the
House and the Senate and secretly inserting privatization language
into a conference report. They now have to admit that they put many
positive aspects of this legislation at risk. The threats coming
from the Administration are in response to an overwhelming public
outcry that safety be put before political ideology."
"It is time for the Administration to stop putting this
important bill at risk by insisting on including a privatization
provision that has no public support. The public has rejected the
notion of putting air traffic control up for sale to the lowest
bidder. The Administration needs to stop holding critical airport
improvement programs hostage and drop its misguided threat to veto
this bill over privatization."
Note: While Mr. Carr seems to think that the privitization bill
has no public support, we might suggest he check with the public
again as his statement seems more like wishful thinking and
self-service, than an actual measure of public sentiment.
Please note "AOPA: Labor Union Ad Campaign Is
Distorted," Sun, 31 Aug '03; "PATCO Response to Privatization
Controversy," Mon, 01 Sep '03; "DOT Report Consistent With NBAA Position on
Contract Towers," Sun, Sep 7, 2003.
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