Group Establishes Facebook Page For Those Against The Idea

A group of NATCA members opposed to the privatization of ATC has set up a Facebook page the group says is intended to let the public know not all of the union's members are in favor of the proposal.

The owners of the page point out right at the top that the page is not officially endorsed by or affiliated with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association; rather, it was created by concerned NATCA members.

"This Facebook page was created by National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) members who are proud of their profession and proud of their union, but respectfully disagree with the position NATCA President Paul Rinaldi and Vice President Trish Gilbert have taken regarding the privatization of air traffic control in the United States as presently authored, the creators say on the "About" section of the page.

"Through this venue we hope to educate pilots, passengers, members of the media, and other U.S. air traffic control system stakeholders that the the majority of NATCA members do NOT support the position of our National Elected Board.

"Our union leadership has misrepresented the vast majority of NATCA members by misconstruing a convention directive to explore privatization. Instead, they have re-defined this language as a mandate to support a very misguided Congressional privatization bill (NATCA 2014 Constitution, p. 19).

"Furthermore, NATCA has done a poor job of keeping membership apprised of national positions and dialogue regarding privatization. Communications to the national media regarding proposed legislation have mistakenly painted NATCA as a carte blanche supporter of the bill, while in reality our members on the whole do not support the language and fear it will have dangerous consequences to our nation’s air traffic control system.

"We believe that any effort to operate what is undeniably the safest, most effective air traffic control system in the world as a private entity controlled by corporate interests has the potential to:

• Increase costs exponentially for all users, both passenger and pilot.
• Reduce overall operations in the NAS because of unfair, unbalanced user fees and fuel surcharges.
• Expunge vast portions of the NAS through sale or sub-contracts.
• Eliminate air traffic services at small airports and terminal facilities.
• Subject air traffic controllers to the pressures of corporate interests compromising the safety culture in favor of cost savings.
• Auction professional air traffic control services to a “lowest-bidder” type system such as the current regional airline model the airlines have built.
• Fund budget gaps and funding shortfalls through the reduction of employee salaries and benefits.
• Under the private “board of directors” model, provide limited options for recourse to correct infrastructure, safety, and labor protection issues.

"We feel that a dedicated, protected funding stream, which Congress has done in other areas of the federal budget, would ensure that all stakeholders and communities continue to have access to air transportation and the critical services and benefits it provides while protecting labor from the potential harm of private industry.

"We invite current and former NATCA members to like, share, and comment on our page, and contribute to respectful and thoughtful dialogue about something that could forever change the course of our great profession.

"Lastly, we would like to re-iterate that we are a group of union members -- PROUD union members -- that do not wish to see union membership decline as a result of NATCA's actions in recent days or the pending AIRR legislation. We sincerely hope this page will facilitate dialogue about the subject AND clearly communicate to NATCA national about the very large number of members that do not support the NATCA position vis-a-vis the AIRR legislation as presently authored."

As of Wednesday, the page had collected just over 2,500 "Likes".

(Source: Facebook)

FMI: www.facebook.com/keepATCsafe/timeline