Fri, Dec 24, 2004
NAATS: FSS A-76 Announcement Might Leave 2000 Controllers
Without Jobs
The FAA released its hiring plan for
the terminal and en route options of the Air Traffic Control
system, while they are planning to make an announcement within
weeks that may put nearly 2000 Air Traffic Controllers in the
Flight Service option on the street by Oct. 1, 2005. Flight Service
is currently in the final stages of an A-76 process, also known as
a public-private competition. The FAA's current plan does state in
vague terms, "...Should this effort potentially result in
displacement of controllers in the Flight Service Option, the FAA
will also consider a special effort to provide opportunities for
those employees who qualify to apply for terminal and/or en route
positions." See page 56 of the plan for the full text.
Kate Breen, President of the National Association of Air Traffic
Specialists (NAATS) who represents the controllers in the Flight
Service Option, does not think the plan goes far enough. "It is the
ambiguous terminology that I question. What exactly does "consider"
mean to the FAA? The FAA is talking about possibly giving 199
Flight Service Controllers the opportunity to bid on jobs. The
Agency is not committing to place each of them. They are simply
considering those people for a "special effort". This is a perfect
opportunity for the FAA to take care of professional, highly
trained, and dedicated employees. This is the best smoke and
mirrors that I've seen come out of the FAA in at least a few
weeks."
NAATS leadership offers the FAA a
chance to save money on training, not to mention severance pay by
utilizing hundreds of already qualified employees. With the budget
issues at the top of the list of problems plaguing the agency why
would they simply "consider" a special effort? "The agency
currently participating in Reduction-In-Force (RIF) negotiations
with NAATS, could get this issue off the table and commit to hiring
all those individuals who want to go to the other two options."
Breen said. "They are looking at hiring over 1500 controllers over
the next two years. Our work force should be considered first
before anyone off the street. This makes financial and morale
sense, the agency needs to make a written commitment to the Flight
Service Controllers that no one will be out of a job come Oct. 1,
2005 anything short of that is irresponsible to their employees and
the taxpayers."
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