National Association of Air Traffic Specialists

Aviation Safety is Our Business

Bulletin #18

From

Don McLennan

At the conclusion of yesterday’s session (June 28) we expected the management team had completed their negotiations with NAATS, since there was no agreement on when to begin another session.  However, after a cooling off period, the teams were able to conclude a late morning session before adjourning with an agreement that talks will continue within the next two weeks.

Primarily the teams continue to explore the feasibility of implementing a multiple-tier system.  At yesterday’s session the management team acknowledged they misunderstood NAATS strong stand on the necessity of turning to this type of system.  They wanted to discuss more aspects of what that system might look like and consider the pros and cons of developing and implementing one.  The goals of both teams remain to implement a fair system that enjoys the benefits of incentivizing employee’s performance, being more business- like and increasing productivity.  A significant aspect of moving into this type of system for the Union is our need to be comparable with our sister bargaining unit, NATCA.  This is something that has been a cornerstone of moving into a bolder and more modern compensation system; the need to maintain comparability between the two bargaining units.  This has been a common understanding between ATS management and this union for several years.

There has been movement by both teams to try and incorporate specific aspects of each others proposal into one that we can both agree will best fit the needs of the employees and the Agency.  Unfortunately, there is still a great deal of work to be done.  Both teams recognize this and have agreed to continue to explore new possibilities and approaches to overcoming our present differences. 

As further information becomes available we will pass this on to you as soon as possible.

 

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Walter W. Pike, President

This page was last updated on 29 June, 2000