Blakey Says That's News To Her

ANN REALTIME REPORTING 03.31.06 1945 EST: Aero-News received the following message Friday afternoon from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, regarding what the organization calls the "break down" of contract talks between the two entities. 

Those talks have been going on since July of 2005. While most of the articles were agreed to by both parties, NATCA says the FAA has called impasse in an attempt to impose its contract on controllers.

First, we present what NATCA has to say on the matter, followed by FAA Administrator Marion Blakey's response -- in which she says the impasse is news to her. Both comments were edited only for spacing -- none of the text has been altered.

NATCA Statement

Contract talks between the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association broke down today as the FAA rejected an offer that would have saved taxpayers $1.4 billion. A drastic pay cut now looms as the FAA attempts to force its offer on employees, ignoring bipartisan Congressional calls for an agreement that serves the flying public and the taxpayer. 

The FAA’s offer now means veteran controllers would be penalized for remaining in their vital jobs, forcing them to retire. By the end of next year, one in four controllers – over 4,000 – could retire, worsening an existing staffing crisis and leading to fewer and fewer controllers guiding more and more planes.

"We offered to meet the FAA’s stated goals and they said no. We offered $1.3 billion in taxpayer savings and the FAA still said no. We received bipartisan Congressional support for an amicable resolution, and still the FAA said no.” said John Carr, President of NATCA (above).  "And now, because the FAA has chosen an ideological battle over fairness and safety, we’re facing a desperate situation where one in four controllers will be penalized for staying on the job. More than ever, it’s time for Congress to act now to protect the safety of the flying public."

In response, FAA Administrator Marion Blakey (below, right) issued the following statement:

"John Carr has yet again proven himself out of touch with what is really happening at the negotiating table between the FAA and NATCA. Our negotiating team has not rejected NATCA's terms nor has it even seen the proposal Mr. Carr referenced in his release today."

"Where is this missing offer? Neither party has submitted its last and best offer and neither side has declared impasse. In fact, just today both parties agreed to take the weekend to review several outstanding articles, to include those dealing with pay and work rules, and to reconvene on Tuesday with the hopes of reaching a voluntary agreement."

"To say talks have stalled or concluded, as Mr. Carr did today, is simply wrong. From the beginning, the FAA has made clear its intentions to work with NATCA to achieve a voluntary agreement that is fair to the taxpayer, rewards performance, and promotes equity among our workforce. We look forward to resuming talks next Tuesday."

FMI: www.natca.org, www.faa.gov