NATCA Bookshelf

NIW Today | 47 OFFICIAL TIME Finally, official time has also come under attack in recent years. At the FAA, official time is paid time that employee- representatives may use to resolve disputes, negotiate changes in working conditions, and collaborate on workgroups that implement new procedures, such as NextGen. It saves the FAA and taxpayers' time and money by allowing the parties to avoid costly arbitrations and other less-efficient means of dispute resolution. Official time is necessary for NATCA members to perform their representational duties owed to all bargaining unit employees, regardless of union membership status. It is an especially important tool now, as America's air traffic control system is being modernized. Yet, legislation continues to be introduced to limit or eliminate official time. The U.S. House of Representatives has had two recorded votes on the issue in the past five years. NATCA was successful at defeating these efforts both times as a direct result of NATCA's efforts to educate members of Congress and their staffs at the local and national levels. Limiting official time in this way would lead to extremely inefficient labor relations at the FAA and across the federal government. Today, NATCA uses official time for these essential functions: • Participate in labor-management workgroups that collaborate on issues like new technology implementation, development of new procedures, and increased airspace efficiencies. • Represent bargaining unit employees in meetings with FAA management. • Facilitate implementation of new workplace initiatives including training on new technology and procedures. • Assist the FAA in communicating important information about workplace matters to employees. • Negotiate contracts and other collective bargaining agreements that concern employee working conditions, pay, and benefits. • Represent employees in grievances and disciplinary actions. • Represent employees before other Federal agencies in administrative proceedings. By contrast, NATCA DOES NOT use official time for any of the following prohibited activities: • Conduct internal union business. • Recruit new union members. • Collect union dues. • Conduct union elections. • Electioneer for union offices. • Engage in political activity.

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