If You Can't Play Nice...
Editor's Note: Below is the unedited text
of NATCA's latest shot across the bow of the FAA, accusing the
federal agency of standing in the way of bringing "accountability
and fairness" to ongoing contract negotiations between the two
parties. It's getting nasty, folks... on second thought, it's BEEN
nasty.
The Federal Aviation Administration is making an aggressive
attempt to stifle debate on legislation that would bring
accountability and fairness to FAA-NATCA contract negotiations. The
FAA not only opposes legislation that would bring transparency back
to the process, but is now trying to kill legitimate discussion of
the topic by lawmakers, showing a shocking lack of regard for
Congressional oversight.
In response to last week’s introduction of the Federal
Aviation Administration Fair Labor Management Dispute Resolution
Act of 2006 by Senators Obama, Lautenberg, Murray and Inouye, the
FAA dispatched a barrage of faxes to lawmakers all over Capitol
Hill. Republican and Democratic offices received slightly different
versions; while both versions called on members to oppose the bill,
the agency also urged Republicans to decline holding hearings on
the legislation. NATCA is calling for urgent hearings, both on the
merits of the bill in question and the agency’s efforts to
block productive, honest discussion of the issue.
"The FAA has reached new
lows of cynical manipulation in its attempts to stifle legitimate
debate on this important bill," said NATCA President John Carr
(right). "The agency’s action is not only undemocratic, but
it speaks volumes about the weakness of its position and its
disregard for Congressional oversight authority."
The FAA’s attempt to suppress discussion of this important
issue is poorly timed for the agency, as hundreds of air traffic
controllers are in Washington this week for the union’s
annual legislative conference. This week, these public servants
will take their message of safety, fairness and accountability to
their elected officials, asking them to support the Federal
Aviation Administration Fair Labor Management Dispute Resolution
Act of 2006.
The bill was introduced last week in an attempt to halt the
FAA’s clearly predetermined agenda to declare impasse in
contract negotiations and to unilaterally impose a contract on its
employees. The bill provides a three-step process in the event of a
breakdown in negotiations, which would ensure fair and productive
bargaining:
- Mediation: If the FAA can not reach agreement
with the union, the parties will use the Federal Mediation and
Conciliation Service to help them reach a voluntary agreement.
- Congressional Action: If using FMCS does not
result in an agreement, the FAA can send its contract proposal to
Congress, along with the union’s objections to the disputed
portions of the offer. Congress has the opportunity to adopt the
FAA proposal or allow it to go to a neutral third party for
resolution.
- Binding Arbitration – If a bill is not
enacted within 60 days of Congress receiving the FAA’s
proposal, the agency and the union must take their dispute to
binding arbitration.
The bill already has momentum on Capitol Hill. Since its
introduction last Thursday, Senators Durbin and Kennedy have
already agreed to support it. Many more are expected to lend their
support in the coming days.