NATCA Collective: Open Season
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NATCA Disaster Relief Fund
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Cellular Reimbursement Policy Change
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Supporting Paid Parental Leave
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CFS 2019 Video Contest Deadline
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Archie League and Region X Award Winners
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Join a Community Walk to Promote AFSP
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FAA Track II Announcement
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IT Committee Seeking New Members
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Proposed Amendments for 18th Biennial Convention
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NATCA Collective: Open Season Ongoing
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"NATCA is a strong Union. But your participation will make us even stronger. You are the missing piece!” That is our message to potential NATCA members in the second part of our poster series to promote our NATCA Collective open season organizing campaign. Look for this poster in your facilities starting next week.
This open season is an important opportunity for represented BUEs who currently aren't members to join us in solidarity. Although NATCA's membership percentages are unparalleled in the federal sector, if we want to advance our Union, we must continue to organize. We know that NATCA is a strong union. This campaign will allow us to increase our membership numbers across all bargaining units, as well as the activism of that membership, making us stronger.
In addition to growing our membership, we also hope to use this campaign to continue educating those we represent about the value of our contracts and other negotiated agreements, our legislative activity, and our Union's safety and technology efforts. We want potential members and current members to better understand what NATCA is, who NATCA represents, and what we accomplish through our membership. At the
NATCACollective.com
website, everyone can read about the NATCA Collective, learn more about our Union, and see
video testimonials
from our Union sisters and brothers.
"We had nearly 100 members join NATCA by the end of the first week of the campaign," said National Organizing Committee Chair John Bratcher. "If that doesn't speak volumes to how valuable our Union is to others looking in, then I don't know what does." Becoming a member has never been more important.
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The NATCA Disaster Relief Fund - Helping Our Brothers and Sisters in Need
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The devastation in the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama Island cannot be overstated. Hurricane Dorian was stationary in Freeport for over 40 hours and the flooding and damage is devastating.
Video from a drone
in Treasure Cay was recently released, and the result is absolutely heartbreaking. We are asking for your donations to the NATCA Disaster Relief Fund. You can donate through our
website
, or through
NATCA's GoFundMe page
.
With this disaster, our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean are reeling. There are at least seven Marsh Harbour ATCT controllers who have lost their homes, and everything inside of them. Several more have extensive damage in Freeport, and many are living with friends or in shelters.
Miami Center (ZMA) hosted a barbecue at the facility and raised almost $700 for relief efforts. This money was immediately put to good use, as roofing materials and supplies were purchased and flown directly to the controllers at Freeport. They needed these supplies desperately, as they have giant holes in their roofs and had no way to fix it.
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"The past week has been a blur, but it wouldn't have been possible without the entire NATCA family working together," said Disaster Response Committee (DRC) Chair Tom Flanary. "We received a list of supplies from a victim of the hurricane, which we passed along to NATCA members from various facilities. We also received a request for assistance for an entirely family in Freeport who lost everything in their home. Basic commodities are invaluable during a crisis, and our members come through each and every time.
"As we ramp up our operations, our tempo is increasing. We just received a generous donation of roofing material, valued at more than $7,500 from our brothers and sisters in the Spain air traffic control system. This material is used to wrap houses to prevent future and further water ingress."
Please consider giving to the NATCA Disaster Relief Fund. The efforts of the DRC are directly funded through member donations which are used to purchase supplies, transportation, food, and water for affected families.
The DRC is a 100% volunteer organization comprised of dedicated NATCA members nationwide. If you'd like to assist in any way, please contact
Flanary
.
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NATCA Charitable Foundation Donates Backpacks & Supplies to Kids Across the USA
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With the help of member donations and contributions, the NATCA Charitable Foundation (NCF) supported 34 backpack programs across the country. Five additional facilities participated in this year's drive, and members and volunteers filled over 2,100 backpacks with school supplies for children in need. "We have given almost $65,000 worth of backpacks and school supplies to help children on their journey back to school," said NCF President Corrie Conrad. "
Thank you to the members who started, and continue to support children in need in your local
area and for helping to make a difference."
To make a tax-deductible contribution to the NCF through payroll deductions, or to increase your current donation to the NCF, please
click here
.
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NATCA Policy Change: Cellular Service National Level Reimbursement Policy
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The NATCA National Executive Board (NEB) recently discussed supporting labor friendly wireless carriers and voted unanimously that effective Nov. 1, 2019, NATCA will provide reimbursement from the national level only for preferred wireless service providers. It was decided that a wireless service provider whose employees are represented nationally by an AFL-CIO union could be considered a NATCA-preferred wireless service provider. Currently, AT&T is the only major U.S. wireless carrier with a union-represented workforce. About half of AT&T's employees are union-represented, primarily by the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of-Electrical Workers.
This policy applies only to members seeking reimbursement from the national level. It’s does not affect local reimbursement. If you have questions about this new policy, email
natcanationaloffice@natcadc.org
.
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Supporting Paid Parental Leave
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Recently,
NATCA signed onto a letter
in support of parental leave provisions in the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This letter advocates for the
Federal Employee Paid Leave Act (H.R. 1534)
, which would grant 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a new child; up to 12 weeks of paid family leave to care for an immediate family member with a serious medical condition; 12 weeks of paid leave if they are unable to work due to a serious medical condition; and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for other purposes that qualify for unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), including for certain military, caregiving, and leave purposes. While the letter encourages this language to be included in the FY 2020 NDAA, which is the annual defense policy bill that is tied to the start of the new fiscal year, lawmakers often don’t complete action on this until later in the year. For years, NATCA has been advocating parental leave for federal employees. In 2017, NATCA signed onto a similar letter endorsing the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2017 to provide federal employees six weeks of paid leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child.
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CFS 2019 Video Contest Deadline Approaching
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How do you make every day a training day in your workplace? Submit a short video (one minute or less) showing us how you or your facility are improving your training culture. Examples include: on-the-job training, recurrent training, Partnership For Safety SAFE discussions, and more. An individual and a facility winner will be announced at the conclusion of CFS.
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CFS 2019: Archie League Medal of Safety Award Winners' Spotlight Series
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The final part of our 6-part series, exploring the work of our members who will be honored on Sept. 18 at CFS 2019 in Las Vegas at the 15th annual Archie League Medal of Safety Awards banquet.
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New England Region
Jeffrey Aulbach, Neil C
ó
spito, and Michael Jacobson
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On a snowy Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 20, 2018, Boston Center (ZBW) air traffic controller Neil C
ó
spito was working low altitude airspace over northern Vermont and New Hampshire.
C
ó
spito was working an F-16 (VENOM01) from the 158th Fighter Wing of the Vermont Air National Guard, based in Burlington, Vt. The jet had been holding outside of Burlington (BTV) due to poor weather conditions. The weather spanned from the Canadian border down through the Catskill Mountains in southeastern New York and over to the Atlantic coast. It didn’t appear to be improving.
C
ó
spito searched the region for airports with suitable weather conditions. The pilot of VENOM01 informed C
ó
spito that he would be diverting to Syracuse, N.Y. (SYR). Cospito cleared the aircraft direct SYR and issued a climb clearance. He asked the pilot on his estimated time en route and his fuel remaining. The pilot replied, “15 minutes en route and 15 minutes of fuel.”
Read more
.
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Region X Commitment to Safety Award
Michael Collins
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The Region X Commitment to Safety Award is given annually to a Region X member who has shown a profound dedication to ensuring the safety of the National Airspace System (NAS). The award is peer-nominated, and any Region X member in good standing can be nominated for work done in their role as an aviation safety professional.
Michael Collins retired last year after having served the National Airspace System (NAS), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and NATCA with a deep commitment to improving safety.
Collins was a founding member of both NATCA's Aircraft Certification (AIR) bargaining unit and the Seattle Local Engineers Northwest Mountain (ENM) safety committee. He was on the NATCA negotiating team with National Safety Committee (NSC) Chairman Steve Hansen and ENM retired member Mike McRae for the AIR voluntary safety reporting process. He also served over five years as NATCA’s Region X AIR representative on the NSC. In that capacity, he participated in monthly NASA safety team meetings and authored and coordinated submissions on NATCA comments to aircraft Airworthiness Directives (ADs), exemptions, and proposed rulemaking.
He also drafted and coordinated comments on numerous FAA regulatory proposals, pointing out safety issues that should be addressed on transport airplanes.
Read more
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Nominate Your Colleagues for a 2020 Archie League Award
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The Archie League Medal of Safety Award highlights aviation "saves." Some involve a team of professionals working together, while others are the result of just one person's efforts. Any NATCA member can nominate another member in good standing year-round! The nominating period for the 2020 Archie League Awards is open now, and covers aviation events that have occurred from May 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020.
Click here
to complete the nomination form.
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NATCA Families: Join Us at This Year's CFS!
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You can join the NATCA Families Group groupme chat. Simply download the app and text your name and cell number to Shannen Merrick at 816-213-6910.
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Suicide Awareness and Prevention: Participate in an AFSP NATCA-led Community Walk
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NATCA is committed to continuing to do everything it can to raise awareness and to lift the veil on mental health and suicide. One of the charities identified by the NATCA Charitable Foundation (NCF) and our #NATCA2020 Convention Committee to be highlighted at our 18th Biennial Convention next year in Houston is the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. AFSP is focused on raising awareness and is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide.
YOU CAN HELP
. There are more than 400 Out of the Darkness community walks planned across the country between now and Convention, in big and small communities in all 50 states. All NATCA members have the opportunity to join AFSP’s effort to raise awareness and funds to invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss.
Below are the walks that NATCA teams plan to participate in. Click to learn more and sign up.
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Register Now for NATCA 101
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NATCA 101 is an interactive learning course used to introduce our new members, as well as those looking to get more involved, to the organization and structure of NATCA. This class provides a foundation with information about NATCA that will help members understand and become more involved with the organization that is working on their behalf every day.
Having the basic knowledge and background of our Union and then building on it with personal involvement are the first steps toward a stronger local, a more powerful national Union, and a better future for your family.
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Members Participate in Smithsonian STEM in 30 Series
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NATCA and the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum are working together to update the museum's
air traffic control (ATC) display
. As a part of this collaboration, the Smithsonian recently interviewed three NATCA members to participate in its STEM in 30 program, an online educational program hosted by Marty Kelsey and Beth Wilson. Each half-hour episode features special guests and different science, math, engineering, or technology topics.
NATCA members Jamaal Teel (Washington Dulles ATCT, IAD), Arielle Clark (Manassas ATCT, HEF), and Michelle Salcedo (HEF) all had the opportunity to talk about their roles as air traffic controllers, the types of information they relay to pilots, and how weather plays a part in their day-to-day responsibilities.
Click here
to view the video.
Since first broadcasting in 2014, the program has covered dozens of topics including the NASA's Apollo program, Tuskegee Airmen, astronaut training, the Wright brothers, and the Orion program.
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Washington National FacRep Honored by the NBCFAE
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Washington National ATCT (DCA) FacRep Aubrey Farrar recently received the President’s Award, the highest honor from the National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees (NBCFAE) National Training Conference in Baltimore. He was recognized for his work at the beginning of the year when he organized a legislative team to help end the government shutdown. In addition, he organized and trained NBCFAE team members to advocate for diversity and inclusion once the government was re-opened.
In a pre-recorded video, FAA Administrator Steve Dickson said of Farrar, "you simply cannot put a price tag on that type of gift," referencing his journey from the Aviation Career Education (ACE) camp at 18 years old, to now, introducing the next generation to aviation through his 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Flight Club Foundation.
"Being a FacRep or legislative activist can be a thankless job because not everyone will understand what happens behind the scenes,” said Farrar. “However, it’s always rewarding when you focus and execute the mission without the intention of receiving praise—we don’t do it for the trophies. When the day is over, we can rest knowing that our actions will always speak louder than our words".
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Members Take Part in Representative Training
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Thirty-six participants recently joined instructors Nick Daniels, Neil Caputo, Mike MacDonald, and Aaron Katz for the Representative Training (RT1) course, held at Bally's Las Vegas. "Training and education are the lifeblood of any organization," said the instructors. "We train NATCA’s Representatives on the intent and application of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in conjunction with collaboration and what structure and resources exist when representatives need support." Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert, New England Regional Vice President (RVP) Mick Devine, and Southwest RVP Andrew LeBovidge also attended the course and addressed certain subjects in order to provide the participants with the most accurate and comprehensive information available.
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Kansas City Center (ZKC) member Latifa (Chamie) Totty has been a controller and NATCA member for 21 years. She has previously worked at Muskegon ATCT (MKG), Lansing ATCT (LAN), and Detroit Metro TRACON (D21), but has spent the past 11 years at ZKC. Totty currently serves as the Central Region Professional Standards and RESPECT Team lead. Prior to the FAA, she served in the Air Force at Little Rock Air Force Base (KLRF) for almost seven years.
Two weeks ago, Totty was diagnosed with Stage Two breast cancer that is triple positive. Triple positive means it is aggressive. She started chemo on Sept. 11 and needs to receive six chemo treatments spaced three weeks apart. Once Totty is finished with chemo treatments, she will continue to get hormone therapy through her chest port for one year. She will also need a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery following chemo.
"I will continue to work as much as possible, but I will be restricted while recovering from chemo and the surgeries," says Totty. She is a single mom that has two kids at home ages 7 and 11. Totty will exhaust all annual and advance sick leave to help cover her treatment, but has been approved for the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program (VLTP). Any assistance provided during her time of need would be greatly appreciated.
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FAA Track II (Previous Experience) Announcement
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Get your resumes and USAjobs profiles updated: The FAA plans to open a Track II (Previous Experience) ATCS hiring bid from Sept. 19-23. Previous experience bids are for candidates who have maintained at least 52 consecutive weeks of air traffic control experience involving the full-time active separation of air traffic after receipt of an ATC certification or facility rating within five years of application while serving at:
- a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control facility; OR
- a civilian or military air traffic control facility of the Department of Defense; OR
- a tower operating under contract with the FAA under section 47124.
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Apple's New Operating System
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Apple announced that they will be releasing a new operating system — OSX
10.15, which they are calling C
atalina — sometime later this month. W
hen it’s released, N
ATCA IT Committee Members will be installing the new OS and testing it to
confirm compatibility with our various services/apps (i.e. Unionware, Rackspace, GATS, and listservs that we use)
. Until we have had time to complete that testing, we’re recommending that NATCA Mac users not update their computers with this new OS. Once testing has been successfully
completed a
nd we are confident no issues will arise from installing the upgrade, we will notify members in an upcoming publication that it is safe to upgrade.
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IT Committee Seeks Up to Two New Members
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The NATCA Information Technology Committee (ITC) is seeking up to two members to join the committee.
DUTIES: The ITC is seeking members who enjoy all things technology, video, computers, and electronic dissemination of news, mail, and other material made available to our members to inform them and keep them connected as we grow and strengthen our Union. The ideal volunteer for this position will be able to devote time to helping us improve the way in which we manage our email system, databases, video productions, and more. The more versatile a member can be in this position to contribute ideas and expertise, the better. We are continuing to seek ways to expand the Union’s ability to reach and engage each member and facilitate good communications and be responsive to their needs.
REQUIREMENTS: Should be proficient with MS Excel, PowerPoint, WordPress, and Social Media. A basic level of knowledge in database management would be helpful but is not required.
TIME and TRAVEL COMMITMENT: There is no duty or official time associated with this position. All business will be conducted on the members’ own time. The ITC conducts weekly telcons. In-person meetings occur three times per year. Travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with the NATCA travel policy.
DEADLINE: The deadline to volunteer is COB Sept. 20.
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Proposed Amendments for 18th Biennial Convention Due by January 28, 2020
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Preparations are underway for NATCA’s 18th Biennial Convention to be held in Houston on May 27-29, 2020. Pursuant to Article XIV, Section 1 of the NATCA Constitution, “[a]ll proposed amendments to the National Constitution shall be submitted to the National Constitution Committee through the Executive Vice President one-hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the Convention.”
The deadline for submitting proposed amendments for the upcoming convention, therefore, is 11:59 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020.
Proposed amendments should be submitted to Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert at
tgilbert@natcadc.org
.
Amendments may be proposed to make changes to Articles I through XV of the Constitution and/or to add new articles. All proposed amendments submitted to the Constitution Committee are reported out of committee and will be submitted to the membership as part of a constitutional amendment package that will be mailed on or before March 28, 2020.
Members may also submit proposed resolutions to the Executive Vice President in advance of Convention. As defined in Article VIII, Section 7 of the Constitution, “[r]esolutions approved by the National Convention shall form the Standing Rules and Policy/Position Statements of the Association.” Any resolution submitted to the Executive Vice President
on or before Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020,
shall be published along with the proposed amendments. Pursuant to Standing Rule C-1, no resolutions will be accepted between Jan. 28, 2020, and the beginning of Convention. Resolutions may be submitted at the Convention in accordance with Convention Rules.
NATCA encourages any member who would like to submit a proposed amendment to do so in a timely fashion by
11:59 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020
, in order for the amendment to be considered by Constitution Committee. Anyone with questions or concerns regarding the proposed amendment process should contact a member of the Constitution Committee or NATCA General Counsel Marguerite L. Graf.
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Store Item of the Week: Pocket Coolie
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Features of this product:
Keep your drinks cool in our NATCA Pocket Coolies! A collapsible 1/8″ thick insulator foam that easily fits cans and are available for immediate shipment. Product comes in a bundle of 10. They are lightweight, easily portable, and fits in your pockets. Union-made in the United States.
Price:
$9.95.
To view and purchase the item,
click here
. Select USPS or UPS as your shipping preference on your orders. To check on stock availability or for further assistance, call 800-266-0895 or email
natcastore@natcadc.org
.
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Benefit Spotlight: Ford X-Plan Pricing
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NATCA
members, retired members, and family members all save with Ford X-Plan pricing. NATCA has partnered with Ford to offer discounts to our members unavailable to the public. NATCA members will enjoy X-Plan pricing along with current customer savings. This is a no hassle, no negotiating exclusive price on select Ford vehicles. For your next vehicle purchase, take advantage of this great NATCA partnership and save.
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