Thu, Apr 06, 2006
The NATCA Version Of War Of Words Sez...
Official NATCA Statement: Contract talks
between the National Air Traffic Controllers Association and the
Federal Aviation Administration, which broke down last week over
economic proposals, have officially concluded with the FAA walking
out of the negotiations and declaring impasse after rejecting an
offer that would have saved taxpayers $1.4 billion. The agency is
expected to send the contract to Congress almost immediately,
failing to solicit the union’s formal objections as required
by law.
As reported by NATCA late last week, the parties held a very
brief meeting on Tuesday night in order to exchange new proposals
on pay. NATCA’s proposal included a revised offer meeting
goals described by the FAA administrator in discussions with NATCA
this weekend. The proposal maintains previous levels of taxpayer
savings, estimated at over $1.4 billion. Unfortunately, the FAA was
not prepared to engage in meaningful discussion - the meeting, held
at approximately 10 pm Eastern time, was characterized by one union
participant as lasting no more than five minutes, the majority of
which was spent by NATCA discussing its proposal.
The parties met again
on Wednesday in a formal session to exchange typewritten proposals
and to read statements into the record. No bargaining of any kind
took place. While the union invited FMCS mediators to join the
meeting and observe the proceedings – a request the agency
originally agreed to – no formal mediation took place. The
union, in consultation with the mediator, made a formal request to
continue talks under the auspices of federal mediation, but that
offer was rejected by the agency. The FAA in effect walked out on
federally mediated talks aimed at reaching a voluntary
agreement.
As of this date, the parties have concluded all meetings and no
further meetings, mediations or negotiating sessions are
planned.
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