Sun, Apr 09, 2006
"We Are Open To All Sensible Options"
Representatives with the
National Air Traffic Controllers Association tell ANN on Friday US
Reps. Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH) and Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), senior
members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
and Co-chairs of the House Republican Working Group on Labor,
released the following statement about the impasse between the FAA and
the union, which represents the nation’s air traffic
controllers:
We are deeply concerned that an impasse has been declared in
these important talks, and have grave reservations about the
possibility that the FAA could impose a new contract on the workers
60 days after the matter is transmitted to Congress.
It is important to note that no strike is looming, nor is
one being threatened. Still, this is not a time for Congress to sit
idle and simply allow a 60-day window to elapse so the FAA’s
final offer is imposed. If Congress does nothing, the FAA’s
latest offer will be the final word.
We fear that if the FAA’s final offer is unilaterally
imposed on our nation’s air traffic controllers, there will
be a mass exodus of highly skilled air traffic controllers eligible
for retirement. This could leave our nation’s airport control
towers understaffed. It could force remaining, lessexperienced air
traffic controllers to work longer hours under even more stress,
and it could force the FAA to scramble to find and train additional
workers.
This could put the safety of the flying public at jeopardy.
It could also cause tremendous disruptions at our airports,
resulting in economic damage.
Congress has the
ability to intervene -- not to take sides or force either
party’s hand -- but to offer a better and less risky
solution. We are open to all sensible options, including binding
arbitration, which would be welcomed by NATCA. It is our belief
that another 30, 60 or even 90 days of negotiations toward a
binding resolution is preferable to the mayhem that may result if
Congress does nothing.
We ask our colleagues to consider all the possible
ramifications that a course of inaction by Congress could have, and
we ask that all parties work toward a fair resolution.
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