Sisters and Brothers…
The mediation process is rapidly coming to an end as we work through a
few remaining issues. The contract team has been putting in 17-hour
days since we began this negotiation just three weeks ago. Their
passion, dedication, and professionalism in representing the interests
of our members and the future of our profession has been spectacular.
I am very proud of the work they have done, and I believe you will be
too.
As I reported to you when this process started, it was expected that
the expedited mediation process would continue through early June
2009, resulting in a new collective bargaining agreement. That has not
changed; we are almost there. And as I told you all before, the
details must remain confidential until the process reaches its
conclusion.
Based on all the email I’ve received and reports from the RVP’s, the
anxiety level among our members is growing. I know it would help if we
could simply state what’s been agreed to at this point and give you
more details of the process, but unfortunately that can’t happen right
now. We have been subjected to some of the worst treatment an employer
could possibly level on its employees for the past 3 years, yet we
have persevered, remained focused on our goals, and put ourselves in a
position to secure our professions, our members’ future and our Union.
We must be patient and wait a little while longer for the parties to
finalize our negotiations; it is in reach. Let us focus on staying
united in purpose, as a new day is dawning for all of us who are
employed by the FAA.
We have all worked very hard over the past three years to get to this
point, and now we are here… Our goal of a fair and ratifiable
agreement remains this Unions top priority – for controller and multi-
unit members alike! The future of our professions is of paramount
consideration, and the goal of a collaborative relationship with our
employer in developing and implementing the next generation aviation
system is the direction necessary to secure our future.
On Friday I met with Administrator Babbitt for a few minutes to
discuss the status of the negotiations and of couple other issues that
need his immediate attention, most notably the splitting of MEM Tower
and TRACON scheduled for tomorrow. The Administrator was non-committal
in our discussion to either stop the split or go forward, but he did
state he understood the issue and got the message on its importance to
the Union. We will continue to work this issue right up to the last
minute to try and delay the split until NATCA has had the opportunity
to show the Administrator why the split isn’t a good or necessary
action.
Thank you all for staying united during the darkest days our Union has
experienced. Your dedication, determination and activism have paid off
once again, and are a testament to the men and women who belong to
NATCA. Our passion and concern for the future of aviation is unmatched
throughout the world, and I have every confidence that our Union will
succeed in whatever we determine to pursue.
Pat Forrey
President
NATCA