NAATS HEADQUARTERS EMAIL UPDATE

Volume 3, #94

October 24, 2003

House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Mica has stirred matters up recently on FAA Reauthorization. First he proposed to remove 41 airports from the privatization list in exchange for the conference support of lawmakers from those areas. That didn�t work very well so now he is holding a hearing on November 6 to explore a proposal to have the military take over control and operation of a number of control towers. This isn�t expected to work either but we�ll keep an eye on proceedings.

Best guess is still a continuing resolution. This could either be for a month or more but it will almost certainly do nothing to resolve the privatization issue. Another possibility is the bill without any privatization protection for anyone, thus avoiding the issue for the time being.

As National A76 Representative Kate Breen has explained, the A76 public announcement is being delayed until reauthorization is finalized. This should have the effect of further delaying the process since ARA-1 Charlie Keegan has stated that the time period from public announcement to contract award is 15 months.

On another A76 matter, we have posted the national grievance on our website. You will recall ACA-1 Joann Kansier has refused to allow NAATS to fully participate in the development of the requirements document as well as the quality assurance surveillance plan. Both of these decisions are arbitrary since both parties agree there are no legal constraints on our participation. If we can�t resolve this in the very near future it is our intent to file for expedited arbitration. It is indeed unfortunate to have to resort this to address a shortsighted and capricious decision.

This week I visited PRC and OAK AFSS�s with Regional Director Mike Stafford. We met with FacReps Candie Robertson (PRC) and Jim Blaine (OAK) and several members. As always the feedback, ideas and hospitality was very much appreciated.

We continually advertise for volunteers to be NAATS representatives on either details or workgroups. One such vacancy is our National OSHA representatives. This position requires occasional travel (usually quarterly) to national OSHA meetings, coordination with the program office at FAA HQ as well as with our regional OSHA representatives. If this sounds like something you might be interested in please send NAATS HQ a brief resume.
 

Wally Pike