In This Issue:
Unum Delivers on Its Promises to Protect You
The open enrollment period for the NATCA/Unum Long Term Disability Plan will begin on Sept. 1. The NATCA/Unum Plan is only available to NATCA members.

Our Union wants to ensure all our members' income is protected. Having insurance grants peace of mind when the unexpected happens. The NATCA group long-term disability program from Unum is the insurance that provides protection and peace of mind in the event you lose your medical or are disabled.

About the NATCA/Unum Plan, NATCA's Benefits Committee Chair John Bratcher stated, "Our nation is going through a horrible time because of COVID-19. The pandemic highlights how vulnerable each of us are, no matter our age or general health. As aviation safety professionals, we must maintain our medical to do our jobs and are subject to many other factors the general public doesn't have to consider. And while NATCA has worked very hard to deliver job protections, wage increases, workplace improvement, and more, the protection of our income is just another piece of what NATCA provides to the membership."

Bratcher continued, "You insure everything else that’s important to you. Why leave your career and your financial stability uninsured?"

Visit www.natcadisability.com for more information and to enroll.
New T-Shirt Celebrates 100-year Anniversary of Voting Rights for Women
Aug. 18 was the 100-year anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that gave American women the right to vote. The amendment went into effect on Aug. 26, now celebrated each year as Women's Equality Day.

NATCA and the NATCA Charitable Foundation have created a special edition T-shirt to mark this centennial anniversary. The shirt graphic features yellow roses. 100 years ago, supporters of the 19th Amendment wore yellow roses during their campaign to achieve voting rights for women. A portion of the sales of each shirt will benefit the League of Women Voters (LWV).
The LWV was founded in 1920 to support the new women suffrage rights and help women take a larger role in public affairs after they won the right to vote. The LWV is officially nonpartisan and neither supports, nor opposes candidates or parties. Today, the LWV operates at the local, state, and national level, with over 1,000 local and 50 state leagues.

The shirts are available in a women's specific version in black only and in unisex version in dark blue only. Click here to view details and purchase the shirts.
Union Synergy Committee Hosting Town Hall and March on Washington Watch Party
Join the Union Synergy (US) Committee in NATCA's first virtual Town Hall moderated by NATCA Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert. We are ready to bring you difficult conversations and discuss real solutions for the growth of our Union. We will be focusing on inclusion and how it has affected our members and also how it can promote diversity, involvement, and belonging. For more information please fill out the form to receive the zoom link, date, and time.

We look forward to talking with you and if you haven't already, join the Union Synergy Facebook group
Additionally, the Union Synergy committee would like to invite you to the Facebook Live Watch Party of the 2020 March on Washington on Aug. 28. The first March on Washington occurred on Aug. 28, 1963 where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech to advocate for the civil and economic rights of African Americans.

Due to safety concerns around COVID-19, the march this year that was expected to draw tens of thousands, has been reconfigured. We would like to offer everyone an opportunity to participate in the march and interact with your brothers and sisters, all while remaining safe. Please join us in the Union Synergy Facebook Group for a historic day of justice, equality, and the fight against oppression.
Runway Safety Rep Leads Webinar for ICAO
NATCA Runway Safety/Runway Status Lights Representative Bridget Singratanakul (Gee) helped lead an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) webinar this month featuring presenters from across the global aviation community, including ICAO, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Airports Council International (ACI), the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO), the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations (IFATCA), the International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA), and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

The webinar, entitled “Runway Safety: A Key to Re-building Confidence Post-COVID-19,” discussed the challenges facing aviation as the world begins to recover from the current crisis. 

ICAO wrote about the webinar, “Runway safety has long been considered as a global safety priority by ICAO. There is also an important association between the safety of runway operations and confidence. As demand returns, aviation’s focus upon the safety of operations on progressively busy or recently recommissioned runways should be renewed.”

Representatives joining Singratanakul (Gee) during the webinar were from countries that included: Ghana, India, Italy, Pakistan, Brazil, Yemen, Philippines, Australia, Paraguay, Guyana, Bolivia, Bangladesh, Israel, and Colombia.
Operation Traffic Counts Across the U.S.
NCF Commemorates 26th Anniversary with
25 for 25 Pushup Challenge
Aug. 15 marked 26 years since the NATCA Charitable Foundation (NCF) was officially incorporated to support the incredible charitable work NATCA members were already doing and give them an avenue to expand. NCF is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation with supporters and programs across the country. It continues to be a 100 percent volunteer organization of all ages and professions. Click here to learn more about NCF’s history.
The 25 for 25 Pushup Challenge
One of NCF's newest campaigns is the 25 for 25 Pushup Challenge to support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, one of the featured charities for the 18th Biennial Convention in Houston, May 25-27, 2021. 

The challenge is two-fold: First, raise money now through Sept. 30 with both your $35 registration fee and by getting family and friends to sponsor you. Then, do 25 pushups a day for 25 days from Oct. 1-25.

To register, text NCF25Days to 76278 and then follow the prompts for your name and address (to send you a T-shirt), or click here for more information. 
Each registrant will get an event T-shirt with each registration. Register by Sept. 1 to guarantee delivery of your shirt by the Oct. 1 start date of the challenge.

Each registrant will also get a link to their own personalized fundraising page. Set your fundraising goal and share with family and friends.

Coming soon: More ways to get involved as a participant or donor as well as a silent auction on the way.
NATCA Mourns the Loss of Three Members
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our brother from Memphis Center (ZME) Steve Pearson.

"Steve was a great colleague and friend," said ZME FacRep Neil Caputo. "As a NATCA Rep, he always demonstrated integrity and fortitude. As a friend, there are not enough words to describe how amazing of a person he was."

“We worked together for about 14 years, although he was in a different area than me, we worked similar schedules," added Southern Region Alternate Regional Vice President and ZME member Jason Arnold. "He was a good man, a good controller, and a good Union brother. He was a stand-up guy who represented the profession very well!”

We ask that you please consider donating to help cover expenses of the family related to Steve's funeral, medical expenses, and the hardships the family will face while adjusting to life after Steve’s passing. Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated.
We also mourn the loss of Tim Ebert, a Savannah ATCT (SAV) controller who passed away in a tragic accident on the morning of Sunday, Aug. 9, on his way to work. 

Tim was 34 years old and is survived by his wife, Lindsay Ebert, and their three children. 

“Tim was the epitome of selflessness and a great mentor and friend," said SAV FacRep Jack Doyle. "He was a 14 year Marine Corps veteran, a husband, and a father of three. He served as the Treasurer at SAV and our ProStan Rep. Tim had been a controller in the Agency for the last three years and was just beginning his journey."

We ask that you please consider donating and supporting his family in their time of need as well.
We are also very saddened by the loss of Myrtle Beach ATCT (MYR) member Shelby Marion, who passed away on Aug. 19. He was a Navy veteran and had worked at MYR for the past three years.

“Shelby was such a joy to be around,” MYR FacRep Zachary Hutchings said. “He had a contagious laugh and always got other people to laugh. He just had a way to brighten up someone's day with encouraging words or with information about a matter. He did not have a mean or confrontational bone in his body and all of us at Myrtle Beach ATCT will miss Shelby dearly.”

NATCA's Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team
In recent months, we all have faced a steady stream of challenges. If you want to talk with someone during these tough times, please know the CISM team is here to help you. CISM is a peer-to-peer service designed to help you post-accident or during a personal crisis. You can call us 24/7, 365 at 202-505-CISM (2476). If you reach our voicemail please leave your contact info, and someone will call you back. Keep in mind, we are aviation safety professionals and may be actively working at the time of your call. Messages are kept strictly confidential. You also can reach us via email at CISM@natca.net or check out our website at www.natca.org/CISM
NATCA Black Lives Matter T-Shirts Still Available
The NATCA Store still has additional Black Lives Matter T-shirts for sale for a limited time. This is a Royal Apparel Unisex 50/50 Blend Black T-Shirt.

Item Details:
  • MADE IN USA
  • 50% Combed Ring Spun Cotton and 50% Polyester
  • Set on rib collar
  • Double needle sleeve hem
  • Double needle bottom hem
  • Tape shoulder to shoulder
  • Side seamed
  • TEAR AWAY label

This is a pre-order item. T-shirts will be available for shipping in 7-10 business days. Shipping is included in the price of this item. All shirts will be shipped by USPS only. Please expect slight delays as we work with our suppliers to assist in the shipment of this item. Order here.
Union Members Feature: SEIU
We continue to highlight our union sisters and brothers who are also essential workers during the COVID-19 national emergency. Today we thank the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents two million diverse members in health care, the public sector and property services. During this global pandemic, SEIU is asking Congress to #ProtectAllWorkers by passing the #HEROESAct for much-needed PPE and funding for public workers and the services they provide.

Learn more at SEIU.
Aviation Labor News

CNBC: Flight attendants turn to dog walking, contact tracing for extra income as they brace for job cuts - The coronavirus pandemic has been so devastating to the airline industry that even flight attendants with decades of experience have been told that their jobs are at risk.
FORBES: Airline labor unions, with Republican backing, are poised for historic win of billions in additional payroll aid - Assuming that Congress can come to terms on another major economic stimulus bill, the airline industry, led by its labor unions, has apparently garnered sufficient backing to extend payroll support until March 31, 2021.

That became evident Aug. 5, when 16 Republican senators said in a letter that they backed providing $25 billion in additional federal aid for the industry as a response to the coronavirus crisis, which has seen U.S. air traffic fall by about 75%. The aid package already had backing from most Democratic senators.
SIMPLE FLYING: United Airlines looks to limit furloughed flight attendants - United Airlines is seeking the limit the number of flight attendants it may have to furlough. Furloughs could begin on October 1st, unless the United States extends aid being given to American carriers, as a result of the current decline in passenger traffic.
 
Passenger traffic within the United States, and indeed around the world, has been slowly increasing since the darkest days in April. However, a full recovery of passenger numbers is currently expected by IATA to take until 2024. So far, many airline employees have remained active thanks to payroll assistance from the United States government.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE: 'This is really devastating.' Airline workers wrestle with whether to stay through COVID-19 pandemic - American Airlines flight attendants were warned recently that flying won't be the same after Oct. 1, even for those who avoid furloughs and keep their jobs.

Flight attendants will work more hours, trips will be longer and more will be assigned to on-call "reserve" shifts, even those with 35 years of experience. Some flight attendants may have to relocate across the country to remain employed.
NATCA 2021 Events: At a Glance
NATCA Academy Virtual Learning: Class Schedule Through September
Building on the success of classes in its first couple of months, organizers of the NATCA Academy have announced a new schedule of classes for virtual learning through the end of September. We hope that you will take this opportunity to learn more about your Union, your rights, and how you can become more active in the areas that interest you.


Below is the schedule of upcoming classes in the next few days. Register today.
Retirement Webinars Scheduled for September and October
Upcoming retirement seminars have been merged and reformatted to be webinars due to the COVID-19 national emergency. They are open to any member nationwide. The webinars in September and October are as follows:  

September 11: 9:00 am- 3:00 pm PDT
September 29: 9:00 am -3:00 pm EDT

October 6th: 9:00 am-3:00 pm EDT
October 28th: 9:00 am-3:00 pm PDT

IMPORTANT: If you had previously signed up for these seminars and are unable to attend virtually, please consider canceling your reservation as space is limited for virtual classes as well.

To register for both the seminars and the webinars: use the NATCA Portal, portal.natca.org. Click on the “events” tab in the main menu at the top of the screen. 

For questions or any problems with registration, please contact Lisa Head at the National Office: 202-628-5451 or lhead@natcadc.org.
NATCA Member Resources
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) MOU

On May 8, NATCA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding Human Resource Policy Manual (HRPM) Policy Bulletin 115, Paid Leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Policy Bulletin 115 and the MOU specifically address the FAA’s implementation of FFCRA, which was signed into law on March 18. FFCRA provides expanded paid leave options for NATCA bargaining unit employees (BUEs) who have been affected by COVID-19. FFCRA provides two forms of paid leave: Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which can be utilized for the employee’s own health needs or to care for family members.

Emergency Paid Sick Leave quick reference guide here.

Expanded FMLA Leave quick reference guide here.

FFCRA Frequently Asked Questions can be viewed here.

Download the full MOU here.

Download only the FFCRA leave request form attachment here.
 
Comparison of the Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Expanded FMLA Leave here.
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