Dear Brothers and Sisters,

For our Union, springtime in Washington means the spirited and crucially important gathering of more than 400 dedicated NATCAvists. We love that so many members show such a strong interest in and enthusiasm for NATCA's legislative activism. Legislative activists come to DC and engage in the most important issues for our Union and the national airspace system we proudly safeguard.  

When they meet with members of Congress and their staffs our members are the subject matter experts because n obody knows our professions like they do.  As the professionals on the front lines of aviation safety, we have the unique opportunity to convey what the job is like, describe how the National Airspace System runs, and explain the necessary steps to ensure the future safety and efficiency of the system directly to Congress.

We again find ourselves in the midst of an ever-changing political and legislative landscape. Attacks on federal workers' pay and benefits,  which we are fighting at every step,  continue to be a priority for this Administration as indicated by the recent letter to Speaker Ryan from Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Jeff Pon .  

NATCA recently supported, and the House resoundingly passed, H.R. 4, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, which provides FAA authorization for the next five years. This bill is one step toward a more stable, predictable funding stream, but we still have a long way to go. The Senate will take up the issue of reauthorization next, and funding also must be addressed through the appropriations process in both houses.  NATCA remains an integral part of the conversation as policy makers craft and amend legislation. Many issues that are crucial to you and your facilities - such as hiring, staffing, training, official time, technology, infrastructure, operational priorities and modernization - are directly tied to lawmakers' work on both short-term and long-term planning and funding for the Agency.