Union Has 45 Days To Ratify the Agreement
The FAA and its largest union, the
National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), have
concluded a challenging mediation process that has produced a
landmark labor agreement.
After years of strained relations, the joint decision to engage
in mediation was an important first step, and today's proposed
agreement represents a milestone on the final road to settlement,
which awaits ratification by union members. An independent
arbitration team today released a decision on a handful of issues
not resolved by the mediation, which settled more than 100 of the
issues in dispute.
The Obama administration recognized that not having a mutually
agreed upon contract for the air traffic controllers had created an
untenable situation and that ensuring the safety and efficiency of
the nation's aviation system made fair resolution a must.
Members of NATCA will have 45 days to ratify the many
agreed-upon issues in the proposed agreement. The five issues
decided by arbitrators, including compensation, are not subject to
ratification by members.
The agreement provides employees with greater flexibility in
their work schedules, childcare support, a new grievance review
process, and a variety of other gains. At the same time, it affords
FAA the flexibility to more effectively redeploy labor to congested
airports using Controller Incentive Pay. The agreement also
restores a more equitable pay standard, to benefit new hires as
well as veterans nearing retirement. The associated costs will be
phased in over the three years of the contract, which helps ensure
that FAA will not have to tap into its budget for critical capital
investments in order to handle increased personnel costs.
"This marks a new day between the
FAA and the air traffic controllers as we move forward with a
spirit of cooperation," said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. "We
are hopeful that once the review and ratification are complete, we
can accelerate our efforts to adopt NextGen, the next generation
air transportation system."
"This tentative agreement marks a turning point in the relationship
between the FAA and its air traffic controller and traffic
management employees," said Patrick Forrey, president of NATCA. "We
wholeheartedly thank President Obama and Secretary LaHood for
addressing the tumultuous labor relations issues at the FAA by
establishing a fair process that has allowed the parties to
negotiate and arrive at a collective bargaining agreement that
NATCA members now have an opportunity to ratify. We look forward to
working with the FAA and the aviation industry and community in a
collaborative process to develop and implement the much-needed next
generation aviation system."
Both parties are pleased that they were able to come together in
a concerted effort to resolve differences, producing a three-year
agreement that was negotiated in a fair process.
As the union progresses with ratification and the agency conducts
its internal review, both sides are confident that this mediated
solution will prove to be the basis for a solid foundation that
enables everyone to put aside past differences and move forward to
rebuild trust between the FAA and its employees. The process serves
as a model, in fact, for future contract negotiations.