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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Yesterday, U.S. citizens participated in an important midterm election. Although some important congressional races remain undecided, we can report some important results.
We know that voter turnout in most jurisdictions significantly exceeded the numbers of voters in many recent midterm elections. It is exciting to see people all over the country exercise their Constitutional right to vote. Americans of all ages and from all backgrounds came out and made their voices heard. NATCA members and retirees were a part of this excitement and commitment to the nation's democratic process. We want to thank our NATCA Boots on the Ground members who worked for months to elect labor friendly candidates throughout the country, our National Legislative Committee members and other activists who volunteered their time and energy, as well as our Government Affairs staff.
Of the races in which results were called, we know that there will be a significant number of new members of Congress. NATCA extends gratitude to those members of Congress who will not be returning for whatever reason, but who helped NATCA make the 115th Congress productive for our Union. Our greatest recent legislative achievement was the passage of the first five-year FAA reauthorization bill since 1982. We also achieved several critical policy riders on earlier extensions to FAA reauthorization.
Regardless of which party controls the House or Senate, it is important that we maintain a "NATCA majority" in both chambers. In order to continue our track record of effective legislative advocacy, we need to continue reaching out and deepening our relationships with returning representatives and senators, while we look to build new relationships with those newly elected.
NATCA congratulates all returning and newly elected representatives and senators. We look forward to working with them to enhance the safety and efficiency of our National Airspace System, while continuing to protect the rights and working conditions of air traffic controllers and all aviation safety professionals. The FAA needs a stable, predictable funding stream and our Union is committed to working with the 116th Congress to make that a reality.
Your NATCA Government Affairs staff and
National Legislative Committee will continue to monitor these election results and position NATCA to achieve its advocacy goals. Our legislative activists throughout the country are prepared to improve existing relationships and build new ones with new members of Congress. We will keep you updated when the 116th Congress begins its work in January.
In Solidarity,
Paul and Trish
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What The FAA Reauthorization Act Of 2018 Means For NATCA
The five-year FAA Reauthorization Act is a major step in the right direction toward achieving a stable, predictable funding stream for the FAA. It also contains some important policy provisions that NATCA has been working toward for a long time.
In 2009, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled that although FAA employees are covered by Veterans' Preference as part of the 1996 law that created FAA Personnel Reform, the jurisdictional and remedial provisions from the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act do not apply to FAA employees because it passed after FAA Reform went into effect. The court considered this loophole to be a legislative oversight, but only one that Congress could remedy. Since that ruling, NATCA has been asking Congress to correct the oversight, and, in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, we were successful. FAA and its employees now are covered by all of Veterans' Preference.
Prior to May 2008, FAA controllers who were stationed on Guam had access to DOD base privileges including commissary and hospital services pursuant to a Nov. 22, 2005, DOD Policy Memorandum. That 2005 memorandum recognized the unique partnership that exists between the DOD and the FAA in support of the overall defense mission of the United States. However, on May 7, 2008, the DOD issued a new Policy Memorandum that canceled the 2005 memorandum and failed to extend DOD base privileges for FAA employees. Since then, NATCA has been working with the FAA, DOD, and Congress to reinstate base privileges. We were successful in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. The bill requires the Secretary of Transportation to negotiate an agreement with the Secretary of Defense to authorize FAA employees assigned to Guam, their spouses, and their dependent children to access DOD health care facilities on a space available basis. It also requires a report to address health care access, commissaries, and exchanges on Guam. The report specifically requires the Secretaries to recognize the FAA's vital role as the sole provider of radar air traffic control services for aircraft traversing into and out of the airspace near and above Guam.
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New Slate Book MOU: NATCA Negotiates Expansion Of VLTP For Parental Leave
As you may know, Article 26, Section 6 of the 2016 Slate Book Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) contains a provision to explore the feasibility of establishing a paid parental leave program.
The Parties at the national level established a collaborative workgroup that reviewed existing programs in local government agencies as well as private sector businesses. The workgroup delivered its recommendations to the Parties at the national level for consideration. The cost of a paid parental leave program similar to those the workgroup reviewed is considerable and the FAA is presently under a continuing resolution that only provides funding through Dec. 7, 2018, with funding uncertainty thereafter. Consequently, we are continuing our discussions with the Agency to find a way forward to achieve a paid parental leave program.
In the meantime, we were able to negotiate an expansion of the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program (VLTP) for bargaining unit employees covered by the 2016 Slate Book CBA. The Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) permits employees who are utilizing the provisions of Article 26, Section 5 of the CBA to participate in the VLTP for the following reasons: (a) birth of a son or daughter and care of the newborn; or (b) the placement of a son or daughter with an employee for adoption or foster care.
As stated in the MOU, it does not reduce the entitlements of the negotiated VLTP process described in Article 90, but is meant to be read in conjunction with it.
The MOU is effective Dec. 1, 2018, after which eligible BUE's may elect to utilize VLTP for the birth of a child and care of the newborn, or the placement of a child as a result of adoption or foster care.
Please contact your RVP if you have any questions regarding this MOU.
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Disaster Relief Fund Is There When Our Members Need It; Help Us Keep It Growing
Recent hurricanes that hit the Southern Region affected many of our members. But NATCA and its Disaster Response Committee were able to respond quickly to those in need, thanks to both the efforts of so many members volunteering their time and effort, as well as the NATCA Disaster Relief Fund. We want to keep the Fund growing during all times of the year so we can continue to respond to our members whenever disaster strikes.
How to donate to the NATCA Disaster Relief Fund:
Checks: Payable to "DRF" or "Disaster Relief Fund." Mail to:
NATCA
Attn: Accounting Department
1325 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, D.C., 20005
Automatic Payroll Deduction: NATCA members can donate to the DRF through payroll deduction, using this form.
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NATCA Charitable Foundation: How To Donate Using Payroll Deduction
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Attendees at Communicating For Safety (CFS) last month were very generous with their charitable donations to the NATCA Charitable Foundation (NCF). A total of $27,000 was raised. In addition, donations made through payroll deductions were increased by over $10,000 per year. Activities included a poker tournament ($2,950), a silent auction, and a live auction that raised $6,695. We invite you to consider starting a regular payroll deduction donation - or upping your existing deduction -
by using this form. Our goal is to make NCF a million-dollar charity!
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NATCA Proudly Supports Snowball Express, Honoring America's Fallen Military Service Members
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NATCA is a proud supporter of Snowball Express, a program of the Gary Sinise Foundation, honoring America's fallen military service members by serving the families left behind. Snowball Express provides comprehensive support programs and helps the children who have lost moms and dads during military service by creating opportunities for joy, friendship, and communal healing. Each December, Snowball Express brings children together from all over the country for a four-day experience filled with fun activities, like sporting events, dances, and amusement parks. It focuses on their happiness and gives them a break from the burden and stress of life without their hero. Snowball Express is one of the programs supported annually by the NATCA Charitable Foundation.
This year's event in Orlando begins Dec. 8 and we could use your help. At these five airports (COS, DCA, DFW, FAY, and LAS), we are seeking NATCA team leads and volunteers to work with American Airlines and Snowball Express members to welcome the Gold Star families and send them off to Orlando. Additionally, we are seeking one or two team leads and other volunteers for the events that will take place in Orlando.
Click here to volunteer
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Additionally, on Dec. 8, if one of these 12 flights in the graphic shown above, check in on your frequency as "Snowball Express," please welcome these important flights and their precious passengers as they make their journey to Orlando. Pilots on these flights often allow the children to hear the air traffic controllers' greetings.
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Fort Worth Center And Memphis Center Members Show Incredible Teamwork In President's Award-Winning Flight Assists
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Communicating For Safety in Las Vegas culminated with our 14th annual Archie League Medal of Safety Awards program. Every year we say we cannot outdo ourselves, but this incredible, riveting, and emotional banquet did just that, one more time. After each region's winners were honored, it was time to make the announcement for the winner of this year's President's Award.
It was an extremely tough decision this year so Paul, after going back and forth and reviewing the nominations multiple times - including during the banquet itself as the winning events were presented - declared a tie between the teams from Fort Worth Center (ZFW - Phil Enis, Thomas Herd, and Hugh Hunton) and Memphis Center (ZME - Joshua Hall, Patrick Allen Johnson, Jeremiah Lee, Darren P. Tumelson, William T. Vaughn, and Andrew John White).
The ZFW team, on Super Bowl Sunday evening 2017, came to the aid of Dr. Peter Edenhoffer who experienced complete electrical failure in his Cessna Cardinal. Our members used some amazing outside-the-box thinking to reach Dr. Edenhoffer by text messaging, when hope grew slim for him to reach the ground safely.
Read more
| Photo here| Banquet regional award presentation| Event highlights
The ZME team spent more than two hours on the afternoon of Aug. 11, 2017, assisting pilot Charles Schindler as he experienced locked flight controls, autopilot issues, loss of pitch control, and hydraulic failure. He finally landed at Greenwood, Miss., having traveled 300 miles from where he took off but landing at an airport only 37 miles away from his departure airport, in Cleveland, Miss.
Read more
| Photo here| Banquet regional award presentation| Event highlights
To watch the full President's Award presentations, which includes a surprise guest appearance from Dr. Edenhoffer,
please click here
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For a full list of all regional Archie League Medal of Safety Award winners, with links to read about each of their stories,
please click here
. To view videos from the awards banquet for each regional-winning event, as well as highlights of each winning save,
please see our YouTube playlist here
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New Class Now Offered: Safety Advocacy Training
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We are pleased to offer our members the opportunity to sign up for the first-ever NATCA Safety Advocacy Training (SAT) on Dec. 10-11 at the NATCA National Office in Washington, D.C. This in-person, 1 ½-day training course has been designed for NATCA representatives with varying levels of experience. The interactive course will provide you with the background and knowledge of the different safety programs, processes, and requirements. It features practical exercises and will give you the confidence to promote the safety programs at your facility to the best of your ability. Sign up now at
portal.natca.org
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Other Remaining 2018 NATCA Academy Classes
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OSHA/OWCP
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Nov. 15 - 16
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Las Vegas
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Adv. Legislative Activism (ALAT)
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Nov. 27 - 29
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National HQ, D.C.
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Training Review Board (TRB)
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Nov. 27 - 29
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Oklahoma City
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Representative Training 1 (RT1)
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Dec. 3 - 7
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Las Vegas
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Secretary/Treasurer (STT)
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Dec. 4 - 5
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Las Vegas
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NATCA Academy Legislative Class Change
An Advanced Legislative Activism Training (ALAT) class has been added to the NATCA Academy Legislative Class schedule in 2018.
ALAT is an involved, 2 ½-day course with guest speakers from the Office of Special Counsel and NATCA's Government Affairs Department. It also includes the Special Counsel to NATCA's President.
2019 NATCA Academy Schedule
**Please note that this schedule is tentative pending budget approval and hotel availability.
Representative Training I (RTI)
- January 14 - 18, 2019
- March 4 - 8, 2019
- April 29 - May 3, 2019
- October 7 - 11, 2019
- December 2 - 6, 2019
Safety Advocacy Training (SAT)
- April 30 - May 1, 2019
- October 8 - 9, 2019
Secretary Treasury Training (STT)
- Feb. 20 - 21, 2019
- April 9 - 10, 2019
- September 4 - 5, 2019
- December 3 - 4, 2019
Training Review Board (TRB)
- January 29 - 31, 2019
- February 26 - 28, 2019
- March 19 - 21, 2019
- April 9 - 11, 2019
- September 10 - 12, 2019
Federal Contract Tower (FCT)
Legislative Activism Training (LAT)
- Feb 20 - 21, 2019
- April 9 - 10, 2019
- September 4 - 5, 2019
Advanced Legislative Activism Training (ALAT)
- April 16 - 18, 2019
- November 19 - 21, 2019
LEAP
- March 4 - 6, 2019
- October 21 - 23, 2019
Drug and Alcohol Training (DAT)
Pre Arbitration Review (PAR)
NATCA Academy Courses are available for sign up on the NATCA Membership Portal (except for LEAP, which is by invitation only).
Once you have logged in, select "NATCA Academy" from the quick links. Then, select the appropriate Academy link. 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]
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