National Association of Air Traffic Specialists

Aviation Safety is Our Business

Bulletin #24

11/3/00

From

Don McLennan

This will be the last pay bulletin prior to NAATS beginning the process of mediation with the FAA. This is a serious step for the Union to be undertaking in as much as it highlights the Agency's lack of willingness to negotiate in good faith and discharge their legal responsibilities under the law and fulfill the mandate of many Executive Orders dating back to the Kennedy era. This is not a step the Union takes lightly nor without tremendous thought or soul searching.

We never really believed that the FAA would pigeonhole us in the fashion they have chosen. For reasons we will likely never know the Agency has decided we are not truly deserving of participating in our mission as Air Traffic Controllers. We are not deserving of the benefits, as well as accepting the day-to-day accountability, of civil servants performing the duties associated with these responsibilities.

What I have heard more than anything else in the last year, from so many of you across the nation is undeniable. The ultimate slap in the face, from this administration, is that the unyielding duty to do our job, perceived by those in authority, does not deserve the same respect that we insure to our customer's welfare. We do this every day, in many ways, and at a personal risk, and still they feel this is undeserving of the same respect they have conceded to our bothers and sisters in different bargaining units. While I have often said, in print, that it is because they do not realize what we do for the Agency, it has none-the-less become intolerable. It is their responsibility in managing government, to insure people's safety, they must, in fact, understand what we do, how we do it and within what means we are able to accomplish our goals.

To that end I share with you the Union's intention's in the next round of engagements. We want to insure to all of you, working without thanks, without acknowledgment and without the appreciation of your management in Washington, that we will persevere to represent your views. We all perform a vital function in the smooth, safe and expeditious flow of air traffic across the nation. Simply because the administration is ignorant of this fact in no way justifies their remiss attitude that what you do for this country is not deserving of their attention.

To that end I would ask all of you to stand at the ready. To be prepared to take up the cause, be prepared to try and persuade those in authority in government that we are deserving of the same treatment the FAA has already given other Air Traffic Controllers they have deemed deserving of their good favor. I ask this not lightly and not in any way because the processes of government have broken down. I only want to insure that you know your management has completely failed to acknowledge you for what you do on a day by day basis for the welfare and safety of the flying public.

I do not normally write these types of bulletins and it is with no satisfaction that I send you this message. It is only because the Union has not been able, in the many months of negotiations, to overcome the administrations bigoted attitude toward our bargaining unit and their mistaken belief that we are not Air Traffic Controllers. I do not enjoy sharing this view with you, in a public forum. However, it is long past time to fail to openly admit that we are still treated as second class citizens not deserving of the respect and admiration we reserve, every day for our customers. You all have my personal, unyielding gratitude, as a private pilot, for all the assistance and security you have provided me in my many years of flying. Here is hoping someone wakes up the administration to your role and accomplishments within the FAA.

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Walter W. Pike, President

This page was last updated on 5 November, 2000