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March 22, 2001
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I am writing on behalf of the 2,500 members of the National Association of Air Traffic Specialists (NAATS), to ask for your help concerning an inequity which affects a dedicated group of FAA air traffic controllers. While the NAATS headquarters is in my Congressional district, its members hail from most of the fifty states, including Maryland. By way of background, in 1996, as a result of a provision in the FY 1996 transportation appropriations bill, the FAA was removed from coverage under most of title V, U.S.C., which sets forth the personnel rules and compensation system for civil service employees. This measure also directed the FAA to develop a new pay and personnel system. On October 1, 1998, as part of its reorganization, the FAA negotiated and implemented the new Air Traffic Control Specialized Compensation System (ATCSC) for field air traffic controllers (Series 2152). The air traffic controllers that NAATS represents are also Series 2152 controllers. According to NAATS, there was an understanding with the FAA that under the new personnel and compensation system, all Series 2152 controllers would receive comparable compensation. Since then, the FAA has informed the air traffic controllers who are not covered by the ATCSC that they will be compensated at a significantly lower rate than the agreement-covered controllers will. Since all series 2152 air traffic controllers share the same series classification and are certified and qualified, regardless of the type of facility or location where they work, NAATS members believe that they deserve comparable compensation. The civil service personnel and compensation system under Title V provided fair and equitable treatment to all FAA employees. The new system has led to to morale and job retention problems among flight service option controllers. In light of this, I would appreciate any support or feedback you could provide concerning this issue and look forward to working with you to rectify this inequity and bring fairness in compensation to all air traffic controllers. If you would like additional information, please contact my office at 225-5341. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
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