NAATS: FSS A-76 Announcement Might Leave 2000 Controllers Without Jobs

The FAA released its hiring plan for the terminal and en route options of the Air Traffic Control system, while they are planning to make an announcement within weeks that may put nearly 2000 Air Traffic Controllers in the Flight Service option on the street by Oct. 1, 2005. Flight Service is currently in the final stages of an A-76 process, also known as a public-private competition. The FAA's current plan does state in vague terms, "...Should this effort potentially result in displacement of controllers in the Flight Service Option, the FAA will also consider a special effort to provide opportunities for those employees who qualify to apply for terminal and/or en route positions." See page 56 of the plan for the full text.

Kate Breen, President of the National Association of Air Traffic Specialists (NAATS) who represents the controllers in the Flight Service Option, does not think the plan goes far enough. "It is the ambiguous terminology that I question. What exactly does "consider" mean to the FAA? The FAA is talking about possibly giving 199 Flight Service Controllers the opportunity to bid on jobs. The Agency is not committing to place each of them. They are simply considering those people for a "special effort". This is a perfect opportunity for the FAA to take care of professional, highly trained, and dedicated employees. This is the best smoke and mirrors that I've seen come out of the FAA in at least a few weeks."

NAATS leadership offers the FAA a chance to save money on training, not to mention severance pay by utilizing hundreds of already qualified employees. With the budget issues at the top of the list of problems plaguing the agency why would they simply "consider" a special effort? "The agency currently participating in Reduction-In-Force (RIF) negotiations with NAATS, could get this issue off the table and commit to hiring all those individuals who want to go to the other two options." Breen said. "They are looking at hiring over 1500 controllers over the next two years. Our work force should be considered first before anyone off the street. This makes financial and morale sense, the agency needs to make a written commitment to the Flight Service Controllers that no one will be out of a job come Oct. 1, 2005 anything short of that is irresponsible to their employees and the taxpayers."

FMI: www.naats.org