On Thursday, Aero-News
published a statement from the National Air Traffic Controller's
Association, stating that the union was ready to return to the
bargaining table with the Federal Aviation Administration... citing
the FAA's earlier "public request" to resume negotiations.
Well, as of yet the FAA hasn't responded -- at least publicly --
to that request... and on Friday, NATCA released the following
letter from union president John Carr (below, right), which the
union said was delivered to FAA Administrator Blakey via
courier:
Subject: Formal Request To Resume Negotiations
Dear Administrator Blakey:
On behalf of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, I
write today to express NATCA's strong belief that, despite the
Federal Aviation Administration's actions on April 5, a voluntary
labor agreement between NATCA and the Agency covering the air
traffic controllers unit and two other units represented by NATCA
remains desirable and achievable and, more importantly, in the best
interests of the Agency, its represented workforce, and the flying
public that they serve. This letter, therefore, constitutes NATCA's
formal request that the FAA return to the bargaining table to
resume negotiations with NATCA for a voluntary agreement.
Because NATCA believed
that progress was being made in the mediated negotiations that took
place in March 2006, it was with dismay and confusion that NATCA
received the Agency's declaration of impasse on April 5. From
the onset of negotiations and continuing through April 5, NATCA was
committed to expending every effort possible in its attempt to
reach a voluntary agreement with the Agency and therefore
considered the Agency's declaration of impasse - after only
nine months of substantive negotiations and considerable progress
during mediation - to be both premature and
unnecessary. NATCA remains committed to expending every
possible effort to achieve a voluntary agreement and believes that
such an agreement remains within the grasp of the parties. In
order to make a voluntary agreement a reality (or at least to be
able to say with all conviction and honesty that every possible
effort was expended by all parties), NATCA invites the Agency to
return to full and active participation in the collective
bargaining process by returning to the table. NATCA stands
ready to offer a revised economic proposal in an attempt to
facilitate attainment of a voluntary agreement and would welcome
the opportunity to explore terms and conditions that would meet the
Agency's needs.
It is NATCA's sincere hope that the Agency will demonstrate the
integrity to the process that the dedicated professionals who work
for it deserve and rejoin NATCA in negotiations for a voluntary
agreement. I look forward to your immediate response to the request
expressed herein and to working with you and your representatives
in pursuit of an agreement that will establish fair and equitable
terms and conditions of employment for the Agency's employees, meet
the Agency's needs for fiscal and professional accountability, and
demonstrates to the flying public that employer and employees are
united in their commitment to providing the highest level of
service.
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