Hello... Is This Thing On...?

On Thursday, Aero-News published a statement from the National Air Traffic Controller's Association, stating that the union was ready to return to the bargaining table with the Federal Aviation Administration... citing the FAA's earlier "public request" to resume negotiations.

Well, as of yet the FAA hasn't responded -- at least publicly -- to that request... and on Friday, NATCA released the following letter from union president John Carr (below, right), which the union said was delivered to FAA Administrator Blakey via courier:

Subject:  Formal Request To Resume Negotiations

Dear Administrator Blakey:

On behalf of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, I write today to express NATCA's strong belief that, despite the Federal Aviation Administration's actions on April 5, a voluntary labor agreement between NATCA and the Agency covering the air traffic controllers unit and two other units represented by NATCA remains desirable and achievable and, more importantly, in the best interests of the Agency, its represented workforce, and the flying public that they serve. This letter, therefore, constitutes NATCA's formal request that the FAA return to the bargaining table to resume negotiations with NATCA for a voluntary agreement.

Because NATCA believed that progress was being made in the mediated negotiations that took place in March 2006, it was with dismay and confusion that NATCA received the Agency's declaration of impasse on April 5.  From the onset of negotiations and continuing through April 5, NATCA was committed to expending every effort possible in its attempt to reach a voluntary agreement with the Agency and therefore considered the Agency's declaration of impasse -  after only nine months of substantive negotiations and considerable progress during mediation -  to be both premature and unnecessary.  NATCA remains committed to expending every possible effort to achieve a voluntary agreement and believes that such an agreement remains within the grasp of the parties.  In order to make a voluntary agreement a reality (or at least to be able to say with all conviction and honesty that every possible effort was expended by all parties), NATCA invites the Agency to return to full and active participation in the collective bargaining process by returning to the table.  NATCA stands ready to offer a revised economic proposal in an attempt to facilitate attainment of a voluntary agreement and would welcome the opportunity to explore terms and conditions that would meet the Agency's needs.

It is NATCA's sincere hope that the Agency will demonstrate the integrity to the process that the dedicated professionals who work for it deserve and rejoin NATCA in negotiations for a voluntary agreement. I look forward to your immediate response to the request expressed herein and to working with you and your representatives in pursuit of an agreement that will establish fair and equitable terms and conditions of employment for the Agency's employees, meet the Agency's needs for fiscal and professional accountability, and demonstrates to the flying public that employer and employees are united in their commitment to providing the highest level of service.

Sincerely,

John S. Carr

President

FMI: www.natca.org, www.faa.gov