Tag Archives: NATCA

Workers at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Call On Congress To Repeal Sequestration

  By New Hampshire Labor News | March 21, 2013 - 3:22 pm | , ,
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Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Rally
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

All Photos Credit Nora Fredrickson

Over 50 Granite Staters demand no benefit cuts for Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard workers joined air traffic controllers, shipbuilders from Bath Ironworks, seniors and Seacoast residents in demanding an end to sequestration in a rally at the shipyard on Thursday, March 21st.

Mark Mackenzie at PNS Rally

Since sequestration went into effect on March 1st, the across-the-board cuts are expected to cut 750,000 jobs nationwide. Nearly five thousand workers at the shipyard are facing furloughs, the impact of which is certain to be felt throughout the Seacoast, while sequestration will cost Granite Staters $28,481,311 in non-defense funding for critical programs.

“Congress created sequestration, and Congress can make it go away,” said New Hampshire AFL-CIO President Mark MacKenzie. “While Republicans continue playing their hostage-taking games, working families in New Hampshire are suffering real consequences in the form of lost jobs, furloughed pay and devastating cuts to programs that support the health and wellbeing of our children, seniors and the working poor. It is time for Congress to end these drastic and irresponsible cuts to the services working people need and instead close tax loopholes that only benefit the wealthy and corporations.”

Paul O'Connor

Paul O’Connor, President of the Seacoast Metal Trades Council

Paul O’Connor, president of the Seacoast Metal Trades Council, argued that the cuts are a senseless response to a home-brewed crisis. “Remember, as we struggle to make ends meet, as we fall deeper and deeper in debt and our families struggle through the stress, as financial instability impacts our ability to maintain security clearances, and as nuclear submarines begin to stack-up awaiting required maintenance, as all that happens, remember, sequestration was manufactured.”

Patte Ardizzoni, the administrator for Rockingham County’s Community Action Project Agency, said that sequestration will disproportionately hit seniors, the poor and disabled. “The issue of sequestration prompts a conversation that involves the adverse impact of financial cuts on crisis programming budgets, delivery of those programs in community action and the inability to serve the numbers that present themselves. Shrinking Head Start classroom numbers, fewer slots available for Fuel Assistance, a lightening of food allotment choices and amounts, and decreased crisis office hours are just the beginning of this very difficult conversation.”

Jay Bowers, Air Traffic Controller and NATCA Member

Jay Bowers, Air Traffic Controller and NATCA Member

Representatives from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association also testified about the impact that sequestration will have on air travelers. Over 15,000 air traffic controllers nationwide are facing furloughs and hundreds more employed through contract towers are expected to be laid off.

In a brief statement after the event, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter said:

“I stand with local workers and businesses in opposition to sequestration’s irresponsible and reckless cuts. I cannot understand why the House majority repeatedly blocked a vote on legislation that would have stopped sequestration for calendar year 2013. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is critical for both our national defense and local economy, and I will continue to support efforts to cancel sequestration.”

NATCA Honors Top Controller Saves at Ninth Annual Awards Ceremony

  By New Hampshire Labor News | March 8, 2013 - 3:28 pm |
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air traffic controller

Two St. Louis Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) air traffic controllers guided to safety the Navy pilot of an F18, who was caught in bad weather, missed the approach to two airports and had low fuel. A Fort Worth Center air traffic controller’s repeated communication saved the life of a pilot who didn’t know he was experiencing hypoxia. A Tampa Tower/TRACON air traffic controller guided to a safe landing a pilot who lost control of his aircraft shortly after takeoff.

These remarkable flight assists, and six others from around the country were honored last night at the National Air Traffic Controllers Association’s (NATCA) ninth annual Archie League Medal of Safety Awards banquet. Named for the first air traffic controller, the NATCA Archie League Awards honor the top skill, dedication and professionalism that NATCA members demonstrated in 2012 in the pursuit to save lives in emergency situations.

“These assists are the finest examples of air traffic control professionalism and skill,” said NATCA President Paul Rinaldi. “They exemplify the work that’s done in every facility, every single day, keeping the world’s most complex aviation system at its safest.”

“I am proud to honor these controllers for their remarkable work,” said NATCA Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert. “These men and women each displayed the composure, resourcefulness and quick-thinking that defines our profession, and that saves lives.”

Read and listen to the dramatic life saving work of these dedicated safety professionals.

Alaskan Region: Ryan Williams, Anchorage Center (ZAN)

Central Region: Kevin Cook and Steve Clark, St. Louis TRACON (T75)

Eastern Region: Dave Giberson and Corey Grafe, Philadelphia Tower (PHL)

Great Lakes Region: Jeff Richards, Chicago Center (ZAU)

New England Region: Erik Anderson, Boston Tower (BOS)

Northwest Mountain Region: Donovan Carson, Portland TRACON (P80)

Southern Region: Bill Sullivan, Tampa Tower/TRACON (TPA)

Southwest Region: LouElla Hollingsworth, Fort Worth Center (ZFW)

Western Pacific Region: Emily Birkland and Roy Teshima, Oakland Center (ZOA) 

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association represents over 20,000 highly skilled controllers, engineers and other safety-related professionals.

What Do You Mean My Flight Is Canceled Due To SEQUESTRATION???

  By Matt Murray | February 22, 2013 - 3:39 pm | ,
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air traffic controller

The newsrooms are a buzz with the information that was just released from the Federal Aviation Administration on the potential impacts of the Sequestration.   Sequestration is the name given to the draconian cuts that are going to rip apart the government and our economy at the same time.

Today Department of Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood, released a letter to the aviation community highlighting the impacts.

1.  Furloughs of 11-22 days between April and Oct 1st for all 47,000 FAA Employees.

2. Eliminate midshifts at 60 towers across the country

3. Close over 100 air traffic control towers (link to potential closure list)

4. Reduce preventative maintenance and equipment provisioning and support for all National Airspace System equipment.

These impacts will create massive delays for air travelers, and any business that relies on aviation to move their people or product.  Aviation contributes $1.3 Trillion to the national economy.  With over 70,000 operations every single day and 130 million operations annually, the FAA oversees all of them.

Sec. Lahood also points out that flights to the major airports,  JFK, IAD, SFO, LAX could see delays of 90 minutes or more durning peak times.   Those delays will only create more waves throughout the system as gridlock sets in.

The President of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, Paul Rinaldi, had this to say after hearing the news.

“Today’s announcement from the FAA unfortunately confirms the concerns we have been warning about for months – sequestration will significantly and perhaps permanently undermine the capacity of the National Airspace System. The fact that they will not just be furloughing critical FAA personnel but closing air traffic control towers means the system will be even more compromised than anticipated. We share the FAA’s commitment to preserving the safety of the system despite these draconian cuts. Safety is always the top priority of air traffic controllers, but the reality is this – safety will be preserved at the expense of operations across the country. Once towers are closed, the airports they serve may be next. Additionally, we believe the delay estimates provided by the FAA are conservative and the potential for disruptions could be much higher.

“Every one of these actions by the FAA will have an impact far beyond inconveniencing travelers. Local economies will be diminished, military exercises will be cancelled and jobs will be lost. There’s no telling how long these effects will be felt because many of these service reductions may not be reversed. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association continues to urge the nation’s policy-makers to find a solution that prevents or mitigates the impact of sequestration in a way that does not diminish the world’s safest and most efficient national airspace system.”

These 47,000 FAA Employees are real people.  They have families, children, and mortgages.   Like many Americans, they probably cannot afford to be forced out of work for an entire month without pay.  Yet this is what Congress is forcing them to do.

We must take action now to stop these draconian cuts from every happening.   Call your elected Representative and tell them to stop this now!  Call your Senator.  Call the White House.  Tell them all that these cuts are hurting hard working families throughout the country.  Tell them how these cuts are going to directly effect you.

Congress created these Sequestration cuts and they can take them away.  It is time to stop playing chicken with our economy and the lives of millions of federal employees and their families.  End the sequestration now, while you still can!

NATCA Makes A Call For Help To End Sequestration

  By Matt Murray | February 11, 2013 - 7:00 am | ,
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air traffic controller

air traffic controller The possibility of the devastating ’Sequestration’ cuts occurring are becoming a very harsh reality.   Many organization have come out against the sequestration cuts.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association is working to educate Congress, industry and the flying public on the devastating effects that sequestration would have on the national airspace system and the national economy.  NATCA, represents the Air Traffic Controllers who help ensure the safety of over 70,000 flights a day and 130 Million operations a year.

In the end of last year NATCA released a report talking about the potentially significate impacts to the National Airspace System.  This report was based on cuts, had they been implemented at the beginning of January.  Sequestration was then pushed back for two months, changing the FY2013 estimates somewhat.  Should sequestration take place at the beginning of March, the Federal Aviation Administration will be forced to reduce their operating budget by 5% or approximately $480 Million dollars.

These cuts would mean furloughs, layoffs and a significant loss in air traffic capacity.   These are hard working men and women who who devote their lives to ensuring the safety of the flying public.   (Embeded below is the video from NATCA titled : NATCA the Voice of Aviation Safety.)

The cuts are detrimental to the FAA and the entire workforce, hoever the impact on the national economy could be far worse.  NATCA reports that airports like Manchester / Boston Regional Airport could be forced to close do to furloughs.

How important is it the aviation industry to the national economy?

“Commercial aviation contributes $1.3 trillion in economic activity and comprises 5.2 percent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually, while providing $75 billion against the U.S. trade deficit” –From NATCA Report

Everyone agrees that reducing our GDP would hurt our overall economy, and yet these cuts would do exactly that.  This is why it is so important that we all work together in a truly bi-partisan way to stop these cuts from happening.  We must put an end to the perpetual ‘kicking the can down the road’ and create a long term budget.

NATCA is urging everyone to take action now! Contact your Congressional Representatives and tell them to stop the sequestration cuts before they happen.

These are real people with real families who could be pushed over the edge with a long unpaid furlough.  New research from the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED) says that over 40% of America is ‘liquid asset poor’.  This is a very fancy way of stating that over 40% of Americans have less than $6,000 in savings and are one or two paychecks away from financial ruin.  What would this mean to the thousands of workers in the FAA alone?

These sequestration cuts would have a much deeper impact than just the 17,000 air traffic controllers.  Aviation alone drives nearly 10 Million jobs.  Any cuts to the National Airspace System would have rippling effects throughout the aviation industry.  The FAA contractors could be forced to layoff thousands of workers due to a lack of funding.  During the last partial shut down of the FAA, many of the engineers and architects were placed in furlough status.  There was 5,000 FAA employees effected by the furlough and that translated into over 75,000 non-government jobs being also placed into a “furlough” status as well.

Take the time to tell your Congressional Representatives and Senators that making these cuts to aviation are wrong!  Our national economy is dependent on the aviation industry. Send your message here.

350 economists believe that making these cuts to the Federal Government would send our country back into recession.  Austerity is not the solution and sequestration is not the answer. Stop the cuts before they happen.

HB 178 ‘Binding Arbitration For Public Labor Disputes’ But What Does That Mean And Why It Is Important

  By Matt Murray | January 28, 2013 - 1:30 pm | , ,
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NH House-2

Have you ever had a debate with someone and and then turned to someone else and say ‘what do you think?’  That is very similar to the new law being proposed by a group of legislators in the NH House.

The bill, HB 178 “AN ACT relative to binding arbitration in public labor relations disputes.” is a very simple change that helps solve contract disputes and avoids any type of strikes or collective actions.  

Those of us who are familiar with contract language, arbitration and mediation will understand this law change easily.

“If the impasse is not resolved following the action of the legislative body, each party shall submit its last best offer to binding arbitration. The arbitrator shall choose the offer of one of the parties in its entirety and such offer shall become the new agreement and shall be binding on both parties, although still subject to approval of cost items by the legislative body.”

For those unfamiliar with contract negotiations let me explain.  In the negotiation process sometimes both sides are unwilling to give on a certain issue.  In many negotiations pay and vacation time are the most common issues that lead to an ‘impasse’ (a deadlock).  

After one side declares ‘impasse’ or the both sides can agree to mediation. This is where a neutral third party is introduced.  Sometimes the mediator can help work out the differences between the two sides and come up with new suggestions to resolving the deadlock.

If mediation fails, the employer can choose to impose their ‘last best offer’ as the new contract.  This was the case in the dispute between the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) and the FAA.

There is one more avenue that can resolve the impasse and is very effective.  This is called ‘binding arbitration’.  Binding arbitration is where the neutral third party (most cases the mediator) makes a ruling on the dispute.  This means that however the arbitrator rules both sides must accept it and move on.

To avoid being forced into another imposed work rules situation again, NATCA pushed for a similar ‘Binding Arbitration’ bill in the US Congress.

Binding arbitration does not always benefit the union, so why would the unions be pushing for binding arbitration?  Because having a ruling against you is better than not solving your contract dispute and being forced to go on strike.   This is even more beneficial for public sector unions who are forbidden from striking.

The ultimate goal is to bargain collectively and reach an agreement.  This law change will help labor unions and public employers reach agreement and resolve their contract disputes in a fair and equal process.

The NHLN says yes to this bill!  While this may not solve all of the issues between contract negotiations in NH, anything to move the process along is a win for everyone.

Sequestration Could Mean Dangerous Cuts To Aviation

  By Matt Murray | December 14, 2012 - 7:00 am | ,
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air traffic controller

There is no doubt that without the dedication and skill of the FAA’s Air Traffic Controllers, the entire country would suffer.  In a new report from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, NATCA explains what could happen if the mandatory ’Sequestration’ cuts take effect.

The report states that all users and operators of the National Airspace System including travelers, general aviation pilots, airlines, businesses and the military will feel the impact of the cuts in the form of a reduction in airport and air traffic control services, a diminishing of the NAS’s flight capacity, increased delays and costs to airlines and lags in air traffic modernization.

NATCA warns that if the FAA budget is cut it could result in the furlough of over 2000 air traffic controllers (12% of the workforce).  ”This could lead to a reduction in services.” To the public, this mean delays, less available flights and higher costs.

“As the front line safety professionals in the aviation community, it is our role to warn the rest of the country that these cuts will be detrimental to our National Airspace System and the economy,” said NATCA President Paul Rinaldi.

Currently the National Airspace System moves an average of two million passengers on 70,000 flights a day.  A reduction in flights would result in the potential layoff to pilots, flight attendants, ramp agents, ticket agents, and other aviation related jobs.   Aviation is attributed to 10 million jobs and contributes over $1.3 trillion dollars to the GDP.

The air traffic controllers would not be the only ones in the FAA to be hit with mandatory furloughs and layoffs.  In addition to the 2000 air traffic controllers who will be furloughed,  the FAA will have to furlough 7,500 engineers, inspectors, and aviation professionals.  These layoffs would also indefinitely delay all NextGen modernization projects currently being worked on by the FAA.

“The U.S. has the safest and most efficient airspace in the world and the FAA needs appropriate funding to continue directing it,” said NATCA Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert. “If Congress allows sequestration to become a reality, the aviation community and the economy will take a major hit. We cannot afford to let that happen.”

It is obvious that we cannot let the ‘Sequestration’ cut take effect.  We need Congress and the President to take action to avoid this potentially dangerous situation.  We elected our legislators in Washington to speak for us, not against us.  We need them to come to an agreement before these cuts take effect and send thousands of good jobs out the door.

 

View NATCA’s full report on the impacts of sequestration.

NATCA and IFATCA Celebrate International Air Traffic Controller Day

  By New Hampshire Labor News | October 20, 2012 - 7:36 am | ,
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IFATCA International Air Traffic Controller Day

On Saturday, Oct. 20, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) will celebrate the International Day of the Air Traffic Controller, paying tribute to the work done by air traffic controllers throughout the international aviation community and in the United States.

The air traffic control profession is one that requires highly specialized knowledge, skills and abilities. Air traffic controllers must work rapidly and efficiently to coordinate the succinct movement of air traffic while ensuring its safe separation and maintaining total concentration. They must understand complex situations and make quick decisions while managing multiple flights at a time.

Air traffic controllers have an incredible amount of responsibility and the profession is subject to some of the strictest physical and mental medical requirements, making it one that is consistently regarded around the world as one of the most challenging.

Air traffic controllers in the U.S. operate the world’s largest airspace system to near perfection every day. Just over 15,000 men and women safely guide 5,900 flights per hour or, 98 flights per minute. They also ensure the safe departure and arrival of over 700 million passengers per year, the equivalent of more than twice the population of the U.S.

“We celebrate our profession with air traffic controllers around the world,” said NATCA President Paul Rinaldi. “These men and women do not expect to be thanked for their work, but today we do just that while also recognizing their dedication to the profession and their outstanding performances on a daily basis.”

“NATCA is very proud to be a part of the international community of air traffic controllers,” said NATCA Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert. “We are honored to share this day with controllers throughout the world, who work tirelessly day-in and day-out to ensure safety of the global airspace and of the international flying public.”

Special flyer from IFATCA

Local Union Member Speaks On The Granite State View

  By The New Hampshire Labor News | April 24, 2012 - 7:22 pm | Uncategorized
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This morning I was invited to speak on the Granite State View.  For those who do not follow the show it is a live broadcast on AM 1590 from downtown Nashua.  The show is hosted by former State Senators Bette Laskey and Peggy Gilmore.

They invited me on the show to talk about the upcoming Solid As Granite rally on May 5th in Nashua.  I would like to say thank you to Bette and Peggy for having me on the show and giving me this opportunity to share the message about our event.

I have embedded the audio file of my interview below.  Enjoy!

Full MP3 of the Granite State View can be heard and downloaded here.

New Video from NH Labor Unions

  By The New Hampshire Labor News | March 5, 2012 - 9:45 pm | Uncategorized
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I have just finished one more video.  It is set to the music of Tom Morello (the Watchman, and Rage Against the Machine).  New Hampshire has a strong union heritage and with that come strong union bonds.  This last year New Hampshire Unions have fought against Right To Work, Repeal of Collective Bargaining, and other attacks from the NH Legislature.  Middle Class Workers in New Hampshire should be honored for the work they do and proud of the history the brought them here.

While this song was written for the people in the streets of Madison last year, I think it is only fitting to be used here, since we are all fighting the same battles in different places.  We Are One!

Enjoy!


Video Description:
Union Town
Music from Tom Morello

Pictures supplied by local union members across New Hampshire.

This video shows that New Hampshire has a long proud history of Unions from the mills in Berlin and Gorham to the textile mills in Manchester and Nashua. Now New Hampshire working families are facing a different threat. The NH Legislature is trying to repeal the collective bargaining rights of public employees and forcing Right To Work legislation. The people of New Hampshire have come together over the last year to show that they will not stand for these attacks. Fueled by the people in the streets of Wisconsin, New Hampshire is fighting back against the extreme anti-worker legislation being passed.

With Mills over 100 years old, spread across the entire state. New Hampshire is more than just a “Union Town”

Sorry not available on mobile devices.

FAA Reauthorization Is It Good or Bad For Labor???

  By The New Hampshire Labor News | February 15, 2012 - 12:00 am | Uncategorized
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Last week many labor unions like the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) celebrated the passage of the FAA Reauthorization bill.  While unions in the aviation industry we celebrating, other labor organizations were pushing to stop the bill.  They tried to stop the bill due to a very controversial piece of the legislation that effects how airline and aviation workers organize.

“Among the controversial provisions were changes to labor law for rail and airline workers — backed by the airline industry — that would count anyone who did not vote in an election for a union as voting against it, making it much more difficult to certify attempts to organize new unions.” (Huffington Post)

I wanted to take a minute and talk about this bill and why it must pass.  This bill was originally title the FAA Reauthorization of 2006.  Thats right Congress has been working on this bill for nearly six years.  This also means that the FAA has not had an official operation budget for all those years.  As the years went on the budget stayed the same while cost continued to rise, making funding a major problem for the FAA.  The FAA has also been moving forward with “NextGen” projects.  NextGen is the FAA plan to modernize the FAA and the National Airspace System.
“This measure will allow them to do their jobs better; it will create jobs, promote global competitiveness, allow for important safety improvements and accelerate technological advances like the NextGen air traffic management system. (NATCA Release)

The big controversy over this bill is that included in the bill is a line that mandates when voting for representation, non-votes count as a “no” in the election process.  The effect of this legislation is not fully known yet.  The feeling from some unions is that it will make it more difficult to elect representation.  The big thing that seems to be overlooked is that, while some unions are against it,  aviation labor unions like Airline Pilots Association (ALPA), the Allied Pilots Association (APA), and Professional Airway System Specialist (PASS) all came out in support of it.  These are unions that would be directly effected by this legislation and still supported it.

While I think it would have been great if the bill would have been passed without this legislation included that fact that the bill passed is most important thing.  After 23 extensions funding the busiest, most complex, and safest airspace system in the world is what it truly important. This controversial legislation is one of the reasons this bill has been held up for so long.  Republicans wanted it, and Democrats wanted it removed.  This caused delays, and extensions, and the partial shutdown of the FAA last year.   Without the passage of this bill FAA employees could have been forced into another furlough.

There is one more thing that has been missed by many of the many major media outlets about FAA Reauthorization.  Included in this bill is a small piece of language that closes a whole in Title 49.  Title 49 is what allowed the FAA to force their Work Rules on NATCA members.  When an agreement could not be reached, Title 49 allowed the FAA to present their “Last Best Offer”.  If this offer was not accepted then it would go to Congress. This is exactly what happened in 2006. Congress did not take action within the 60 days, and the last best offer became the new contract.  NATCA never accepted this contract and for three years worked under these “Imposed Work Rules”.  Now with the passage of FAA Reauthorization, impasse will be solved through binding arbitration.  Making it impossible to have Imposed Work Rules again.