Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

Last night, members of Congress reported that there was a congressional agreement in principle on government funding that, if enacted, would avert another government shutdown later this week. Although we are pleased that the negotiations have resulted in an agreement in principle, we now have three days remaining until the three-week continuing resolution (CR) that ended the recent 35-day shutdown on Jan. 25 expires. The House and Senate must pass legislation, and the President must agree to sign it into law before  Saturday, Feb. 16, at 12:01 a.m. EST. Unless there is an agreement or another CR is passed by that deadline, federal appropriations authority for certain federal agencies and departments, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), would lapse, and those agencies and departments would be shut down for the fourth time in the last 13 months.

 

This would be devastating to all of you and the National Airspace System (NAS). It would degrade safety and is unsustainable.

 

Even with this tentative congressional agreement in principle, we are not taking anything for granted. Our Union is aggressively fighting on multiple fronts to keep the government open. Since the end of the last shutdown, NATCA has delivered a loud and clear message to Congress and the Administration that the 35-day government shutdown was unacceptable, had severe and lasting effects on the NAS, its employees, and the safety of the system, and cannot be repeated on Feb. 16, or ever again. Our message is being delivered to Capitol Hill through an action plan that has and will continue to increase the volume. The action items include releasing NATCA-led aviation coalition letters, testifying at a congressional hearing, reaching out to national and local media, communicating with members, and engaging in potential rallies. You will see much of this happen this week, including these highlights:

 

n  Earlier today, we began another mini lobby week with 75 NATCA activists arriving here in Washington, D.C., and preparing to return to Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and their staff. Their message is two-fold: first, keep the government open and avoid another shutdown at the end of this week, and second, pass H.R. 1108, the Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2019, introduced by U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio (Ore.), and Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Rick Larsen (Wash.), that would authorize the FAA to draw from the Airport & Airway Trust Fund (AATF) in the event of a government shutdown. As we reported to you last Friday, Feb. 8, the bill will provide a limited, targeted way of ensuring stability for the aviation system by ensuring that all FAA programs, projects, and activities would continue uninterrupted. NATCA strongly supports the bill.

 

n  On Wednesday, Feb. 13, Paul will testify before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Aviation, at a hearing entitled "Putting U.S. Aviation Safety at Risk: The Impact of the Shutdown." You can watch the hearing live, starting at 10 a.m. EST, on the Committee's website here.

 

With the NAS still reeling from the negative effects of the recent 35-day government shutdown, Paul will deliver an impassioned message about how the shutdown eroded the layers of critical elements necessary to support and maintain the safety of the NAS. He will also detail how all of you were negatively affected by stress, fatigue, and distraction caused by the shutdown and the uncertainty about when it would end. He will brief the Committee on the costs to taxpayers, including the shutdown-related delays to critical safety programs, and will explain why we cannot allow another shutdown to happen on Feb. 16, or ever again.

 

As this week unfolds, we will update you on all news and developments.

 

In solidarity,

 

Paul and Trish

Today, NATCA, along with 39 other aviation organizations, sent a letter to Chairman DeFazio, Chairman Larsen, and the ranking members of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Subcommittee on Aviation in support of the Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2019 (H.R. 1108). This Act would authorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to draw from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF) in the event of any future government shutdowns. NATCA and the other stakeholders gave their support of the legislation ensuring continued aviation funding, and safety and efficiency for the flying public. Click here to view the letter.

Click here to view the PowerPoint presentation and to download the Pay Calculator.

NATCA members from across the country had the privilege of representing their Union brothers and sisters while attending the President's State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on Feb. 5. They were invited by their members of Congress as special guests to highlight the vital work performed by our 20,000 NATCA-represented aviation safety professionals.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, PVD member Jamie Green, and Congressman David Cicilline.

PSP member Shyan Lasater-Bailey, Congressman Mark Takano, Congresswoman Katie Hill, and JCF member Chrissy Lewis.

A college education is expensive! Without some kind of help, it's difficult for the average household to save enough money to fund a higher education. Thankfully NATCA offers an in-house scholarship program that can help pay for college expenses for your children or spouse, for all active, retired, and deceased members in good standing as a member for at least two years.

 

For application and details of the NATCA scholarship program, click here . The deadline for the NATCA scholarship program is

March 1, 2019.

For those members who are wanting to expand their own education, SRF-14 of the NATCA Constitution also provides an educational reimbursement fund for members in good standing who are pursuing an approved degree at a NATCA-approved educational institution. 

NATCA is currently accepting nominations of deserving aviation safety professionals for the 15th Annual Archie League Medal of Safety Award.  The award  was named for the first air traffic controller and highlights a variety of aviation "saves," some which 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, but the April 30, 2019 deadline is drawing near.  Click here  for more information. The awards will be presented on Sept. 18, 2019 at Communicating For Safety.

The 2019 NATCA Academy schedule is available with revised dates. You can sign up on the  NATCA Membership Portal

 (with t he exception of LEAP, which is by invitation only).

 

Once you have logged in, select "NATCA Academy" from the quick links. Then, select "2019 Courses." If you need any help with registration, contact the Coordinator for your region. Registrants will be notified within 35 days from the course start date of their status for the course. 

If you have any questions, please contact NATCA's Training Coordinator, Carolyn Kamara, at  [email protected].

 

2019 NATCA Academy Schedule

It's almost Valentine's Day, a time to show our parents, grandparents, partners, spouses, and others how much they are loved and appreciated. 

There is no better way to express that appreciation than with a beautiful bouquet of flowers or a gift basket filled with their favorite goodies!  What makes it an even better idea is the fact that as a member of NATCA you qualify for a 20 percent discount with Teleflora and Gift Tree when you log on through the Union Plus website. From small to large arrangements of flowers, to food, wine and spa baskets, you're sure to find the perfect gift that tells that special someone you're thinking about them.

Great selection means a great gift; a great discount means a great price! No more problems showing up empty-handed on Valentine's Day! Go to  www.natcabenefits.com and get started finding the perfect gift for your perfect someone!