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Air Traffic Controller, Leader, Visionary,
Defined Union Solidarity and Brotherhood For Multiple Generations of NATCA-Represented Aviation Safety Professionals
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Yesterday we awoke to the sad news that
Barry Krasner
, our brother, dear friend, charter and founding NATCA member, and President Emeritus had passed away. Barry was a dedicated air traffic controller who spent his entire 26-year career at New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), and taught multiple generations of aviation safety professionals the meaning of what a Union truly is, with strong, passionate beliefs in solidarity and grassroots support for organizing and building NATCA. His decades of leadership of our collective bargaining will leave a permanent legacy as his negotiated words will continue to protect our members.
There are so many wonderful things to say about a man that means so much to so many. He is a NATCA Iegend, a visionary leader, a mentor, an advocate, the
consummate negotiator
and beloved friend. He fought many, many battles on behalf of the men and women represented by NATCA. The fighter in him beat the odds as he lived life to the fullest, well past the time doctors said he would, with the love of his life Sallie.
To pick one word that describes Barry, it would have to be cornerstone. The strongest part of any foundation is the cornerstone. It is the beginning, the strength, and the support upon which everything is built. Barry is truly the cornerstone of NATCA. He set the course for three decades and gave us the guidance and direction we needed.
Barry began his Federal Aviation Administration career in January 1982, working as an air traffic controller at the New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), where he spent the next 26 years before retiring in 2008. He was involved in the original organizing drive to begin a new union for controllers in the mid-1980s and was instrumental in shaping its foundation and path forward, first as a charter member when NATCA received Federal Labor Relations Authority certification in 1987, next as Eastern Regional representative from 1988-91 and then as its President from 1991-97.
He left a lasting legacy on the Union. His Union career was shaped primarily during the 90s. He then remained an integral part of NATCA's heart and soul - and labor relations and contract negotiating efforts - through his 2008 retirement from the FAA. After that, he stayed with NATCA as a staff member at its national headquarters and as executive director before retiring from NATCA in 2014.
Barry was a longtime survivor of pancreatic cancer. Years ago, he beat his cancer, but later, he suffered a reoccurrence. Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest forms of cancer, with fewer than five percent of people living with the illness surviving for five or more years. Krasner beat these odds and survived after his initial diagnosis for nearly a decade. His longtime survival demonstrates how he fought in everything he did.
Barry will be greatly missed by NATCA's members. NATCA members honored him by naming the Union's headquarters building after him. But Krasner always deflected praise, preferring instead to share the accolades with everyone who worked to achieve results.
"I'm proud to have played a small part in our success," Krasner said in 2014. "I say I played a small part, because it takes an organization made up of many passionate, dedicated professionals, to be so successful. It takes not just the voice of one, but the voice of many. Being a part of a successful union means success for you professionally and personally. NATCA would not be as accomplished as it is today without the individual talents, skills, and voices that comprise it."
He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Sallie Sullivan-Krasner (also a very dedicated former NATCA staff member) and their children and grandchildren. We extend our deepest condolences, profound love, and unwavering support to Sallie, to their family, and many friends.
In solidarity with heavy hearts,
Paul Rinaldi, NATCA President
Trish Gilbert, NATCA Executive Vice President
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Air Traffic Control Specialist General Public
Announcement
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had been expected to post a job vacancy announcement for the position of Air Traffic Control Specialist-Trainee on the federal government's official job site in late June. On June 26, the FAA said that it was delaying that vacancy announcement. Since the FAA announced this delay, NATCA has been communicating with the Agency about the importance of posting a vacancy announcement as soon as possible.
Controller staffing reached a crisis level in 2015 and continues to be one of our Union's primary concerns. We have 10,546 fully certified controllers on the job today that represents a 29-year low and is 1,200 fewer than just six years ago. Of the current total number of fully certified controllers, 17 percent are eligible to retire. It will take years of sustained hiring and successful training for the FAA to fully staff our facilities. We urge the Agency to not delay the next controller job bid any longer than is necessary.
The FAA has met its hiring goals the last three fiscal years. There is very little margin for error. If the FAA is unable to resume hiring in a reasonable timeframe, it risks major delays at the FAA Academy. If that occurs, and this staffing crisis continues, the FAA will be hard-pressed to maintain current capacity, let alone expand or modernize the system. A further reduction in controller staffing could have an immediate and detrimental effect on aviation capacity, meaning fewer planes in the sky and greater potential for delays.
NATCA will continue to push the FAA to keep meeting its hiring goals. We will let NATCA members know as soon as they announce the next vacancy announcement.
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OPM Guidance on May 25 Executive Orders
Late last week, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued guidance regarding the three Executive Orders (EO) that were issued on May 25, 2018, which negatively affect federal employees and their unions. After the EOs were issued, NATCA sent out a news alert on May 26 to notify members about the EOs and that OPM would be issuing guidance advising agency heads how to implement them. In that initial message, we communicated that there should be no changes to any of NATCA's agreements with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a result of the EOs.
The July 5 OPM guidance confirms our statement in the May 26 news alert that "there should be no changes to any of NATCA's agreements with the FAA - local or national - nor any changes in how they are implemented. The same is true for all current practices and procedures between the parties." Specifically, in its memos regarding EOs 13837 and 13839, regarding official time and removal of federal employees respectively, OPM wrote:
The EO directs agencies, at the earliest moment the law permits, to renegotiate any collective bargaining agreement (CBA) provision that is inconsistent with the EO or with any final Office of Personnel Management (OPM) regulations promulgated pursuant to the EO subject to applicable law. EOs possess the force of government-wide rules.
Therefore, provisions of the EO are effective on the date the CBA expires or rolls over, whether or not the CBA is reopened for negotiations. (Emphasis added.)
NATCA's April 2011 Multi-Unit CBA (Light Blue Book) and June 2013 Consolidated CBA (Purple Book) remain in effect until July 1, 2021. NATCA's July 2016 Slate Book CBA remains in effect until July 23, 2022. Under the terms of each CBA, neither party may provide notice to amend the CBA until not more than 180 days prior to its expiration date. Therefore, the EOs shall effect no change on NATCA's negotiated agreements, both term CBAs and mid-term agreements, as well as established past practices, whether national, regional, or local. We are confident that FAA and DOT will honor our CBAs in compliance with the law, our CBAs, and the OPM guidance.
If you become aware of any attempt by the agency to implement any part of the EOs, or make any other changes, please immediately contact your FacRep and Regional Vice President. We will continue to monitor any further implementation of these EOs and will continue to advocate to protect the National Airspace System and the men and women who safeguard it.
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Surface operations are critically important to our safety record, where proactive leadership, swift actions, and teamwork come together to save lives. We want to hear about these successes.
Together, NATCA and the FAA are addressing top trends for surface safety events, including wrong surface landings, runway flyovers, clearing landings/takeoffs on occupied runways, and readback/hearback issues.
Surface Watch is a recognition program jointly sponsored by NATCA and the FAA. It acknowledges individuals and teams of controllers and supervisors for their exemplary saves and initiatives that focus on the surface environment.
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NATCA Awards Open for Nominations until July 31
Region X Commitment to Safety Award: Deadline is July 31
Members of Region X perform essential work ensuring the safety of the National Airspace System (NAS). Do you know of a specific instance where safety has been significantly improved, or of individuals or groups that demonstrated prolonged dedication to the safety and well-being of the NAS? Nominate individuals or groups for a Region X Commitment to Safety Award.
Read more |
Nominate here
Professionalism Award: Deadline is July 31
There are many things that come to mind when we think of professionalism: Integrity, respect from peers and others, positive attitude, willingness to work with others, dedication, and reliability. Do you know someone whose contributions and performance enhanced the standing of our professions? Nominate them for a NATCA National Professionalism Award.
Read more |
Nominate here
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Your NATCA Benefits Committee is Proud to Announce Six New Benefit Partnerships
Receive up to 20 percent off the "Best Available Rate" at over 7,500 participating Wyndham Hotel Group locations worldwide. Whether you are looking for an upscale hotel, an all-inclusive resort or something more cost-effective, we have the right hotel for you ... and at the right price. So start saving now.
Save up to 80 percent on over 93,000 products at Office Depot/OfficeMax. They are great for your printing, cleaning, and office needs. Shop online or in any Office Depot or OfficeMax store. Enjoy FREE next-day delivery on online orders over $50!
Identity Guard monitors your valuable credit and identity information, with alerts that can help you respond quickly if certain changes indicating fraudulent activity are detected. NATCA members receive 10 percent off the subscription price! Help protect yourself and your family from Identity Theft. Get started today!
Great news! As a valued NATCA member, you are eligible for an exclusive
new offer called
Bonus Drive
. Because of your membership, you are
automatically eligible for the program. When it comes to purchasing or
leasing a new Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, or Hyundai eligible vehicle,
you don't want to miss out on the opportunity for a cash back reward.
Most insurance plans don't cover hearing healthcare. That's where American Hearing Benefits can help. AHB is a convenient hearing benefits program which provides access to free hearing consultations and significant discounts on hearing technology, including rechargeable hearing aids, through our nationwide network of hearing professionals. Improve your life through better hearing today!
NATCA has teamed up with Lenovo, a global leader in the PC marketplace, to offer discounts on its entire line of reliable, high-quality, secure, and easy-to-use technology products and services. Members save up to 30 percent off the everyday public web price of Lenovo laptops, tablets, desktops, all-in-ones, workstations, servers, and accessories.
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NATCA Retirement Seminars
NATCA has arranged retirement seminars for its members by 4 Square Financial Literacy Partners, Inc.
Each location will host one Advanced Career seminar for members with more than 15 years of service and one Career Optimization and Retirement Education (C.O.R.E.) seminar for members in the first 15 years of their career. These are the seminars that currently are scheduled in the next two months:
Tuesday, July 24, 9 a.m.
LA Area (Palmdale) Retirement Benefits Seminar - Early and Advanced Career
Where: Hampton Inn & Suites Palmdale, 39428 Trade Center Dr, Palmdale, California
Wednesday, July 25, 9 a.m.
LA Area Retirement Benefits Seminar - Early and Advanced Career
Where: Holiday Inn Long Beach Airport, 2640 N Lakewood Blvd, Long Beach, California
Tuesday, Aug. 14, 3 p.m.
Houston Advanced Career Retirement Seminar
Where: Hilton Garden Inn Houston/Bush Intercontinental Airport, 15400 John F Kennedy Blvd, Houston, Texas
Wednesday, Aug. 15, 9 a.m.
Houston CORE Seminar for Early Career Members
Where: Hilton Garden Inn Houston/Bush Intercontinental Airport, 15400 John F Kennedy Blvd, Houston, Texas
Wednesday, Aug. 15, 3 p.m.
St. Louis Advanced Career Retirement Seminar
Where: Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel, 9801 Natural Bridge Rd, St. Louis, Missouri
Thursday, Aug. 16, 9 a.m.
St. Louis CORE Seminar for Early Career Members
Where: Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel, 9801 Natural Bridge Rd, St. Louis, Missouri
Thursday, Aug. 16, 3 p.m.
DFW Advanced Career Retirement Seminar
Where: Comfort Suites DFW N/Grapevine, 1805 Enchanted Way, Grapevine, Texas
Friday, Aug. 17, 9 a.m.
DFW CORE Seminar for Early Career Members
Where: Comfort Suites DFW N/Grapevine, 1805 Enchanted Way, Grapevine, Texas
Tuesday, Sept. 11, 3 p.m.
Jacksonville Advanced Career Retirement Seminar
Where: Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Airport/I-95N, 14670 Duval Rd, Jacksonville, Florida
Wednesday, Sept. 12, 9 a.m.
Jacksonville CORE Seminar for Early Career Members
Where: Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Airport/I-95N, 14670 Duval Rd, Jacksonville, Florida
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2018 NATCA Academy Schedule
| Representative Training 1 (RT1) |
Sept. 24-28 |
Las Vegas |
| Representative Training 1 (RT1) |
Dec. 3-7 |
Las Vegas |
| LEAP |
Oct. 15-17
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Warrenton, Va. |
| Training Review Board (TRB) |
Sept. 11-13 |
Las Vegas |
| Legislative Activism (LAT) |
Sept. 11-12 |
Las Vegas |
| Adv. Legislative Activism (ALAT) |
Nov. 27-29 |
National HQ, D.C. |
| Secretary/Treasurer (STT) |
Sept. 11-12 |
Las Vegas |
| Secretary/Treasurer (STT) |
Dec. 4-5 |
Las Vegas |
NATCA Academy Legislative Class Change
An Advanced Legislative Activism Training (ALAT) class has been added to the NATCA Academy Legislative Class schedule in 2018. The Basic Legislative Activism Training (LAT) class originally scheduled for Nov. 28-29, 2018 in Las Vegas, has been replaced with an ALAT class on Nov. 27-29, 2018 in Washington, D.C. at the NATCA National Office.
ALAT is an involved, 2 1/2-day course with guest speakers from the Office of Special Counsel, NATCA's Government Affairs Staff, and Special Counsel to NATCA's President.
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 "2018 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
ckamara@natcadc.org.
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