A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/1182646
AJR-B3 REALIGNMENT TO AJV-A3 On Oct. 15, the Agency briefed NATCA regarding its intent to realign the U.S. NOTAM Governance and Operations Group (AJR-B3) to Mission Support Services, Aeronautical Information (AJV-A3). This group is responsible for: (1) the integrity of temporary aeronautical information data submitted through the U.S. NOTAM Office; (2) policy and guidance to maintain data integrity and ensure timely dissemination of NOTAMs; and (3) NOTAM formatting. The purpose of this realignment is to move toward a single point of contact within the Agency for NOTAMs. Currently, multiple Air Traffic Organization (ATO) service units and various Agency lines of business share responsibility for NOTAMs. During the briefing, the Agency confirmed that the realignment will not result in changes to any physical locations, staffing levels, contingency agreements, existing support, or first- or second-level supervisors for NATCA BUEs. POCs: Chief of Staff Dean Iacopelli, Command Center Facility Representative Scott Farrow, Terminal Technology Coordinator Bill Geoghagan, and Labor Relations Attorney Grant Mulkey. SPECIAL RATE FOR FLIGHT TEST PILOTS MOU On Oct. 23, NATCA and the Agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concerning implementation of a Special Rate for Flight Test Pilots in NATCA's Aircraft Certification bargaining unit. The Special Rate is available for the bargaining unit employees (BUEs) who occupy positions in the 2181 (Aircraft Operator) Occupational Series and are assigned to a position description/job analysis tool that requires the pilot to hold a valid medical certificate and serve as a required crewmember on FAA aircraft. In essence, it will increase the effective Locality Pay Rate for these BUEs and raise the amount of their annual compensation. The Agency is opting to use the Special Rate to address recruitment and retention issues within the Flight Test Pilot workforce. The Special Rate for these BUEs became effective on Oct. 27, with a first pay date of Nov. 19. However, the Department of Interior (DOI), which administers the Agency's payroll system, is unable to program the Special Rate into the FAA's Core Compensation System until Spring/Summer 2020. To effect this pay increase as soon as possible, the MOU sets forth a series of interim manual miscellaneous pay adjustments that will compensate the Flight Test Pilots as if the Special Rate were in effect. Once DOI programs the Special Rate into the payroll system, the Special Rate will be applied as intended. The MOU also clarifies that, under this Special Rate, Flight Test Pilots will no longer be subject to the Agency's Core Compensation System pay band maximums. They will only be subject to the statutory maximum (i.e., an employee's salary cannot exceed the salary of the FAA Administrator).