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THE DELEGATE FRIDAY • OCTOBER 3, 2014 3 NATCA'S COLLABORATIVE AND COLLECTIVE EFFECTS ON THE PROFESSIONS, OUR UNION, AND THE NAS INTERNATIONAL PANEL RECAP DAY 2, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 NATCA hosted a panel of international air traffic organization and union leaders yesterday to help NATCA's membership understand what different systems provide, and what funding processes they have in place. "We are not in a position to say everything is fine," said moderator Trish Gilbert, NATCA's EVP. "Our top goal is to figure out how to maneuver through all the rhetoric and opportunists, and fund the NAS." Canadian Air Traffic Controllers Association (CATCA) President Peter Duffey discussed the ATC transition in 1993, from federal government control to a non-government corporation not-for-profit. His advice for the NATCA membership was, if they decide to change the NAS funding, to "drive the bus, not ride it." ATCOs Branch of Prospect Chair Paul Winstanley said NATCA needs to prepare for the worst if it decides to change the funding structure. He also said NATCA should "choose its bedfellows wisely." His organization is part for-profit, with airlines owning a portion and participating on the organization's board, which makes things difficult at times. Winstanley added that the best thing about UK's transition was moving away from pay restraints and pension protections. Civil Air Australia President Daryl Hickey said the best thing about Australia's transition to a government enterprise was the advancement in technology. He added that the path of transitioning to a different funding structure isn't a quick one. Duffey noted that the best thing about CATCA's transition to its new system structure was the 40 percent pay increase the workforce received right away, the equipment advances, as well as the contract terms achieved over the years. He said the worst part of the transition was 10 very tough years the workforce endured battling its managers. He said if he could do the transition over, he would want the union to be better prepared going into it. NATCA is proud to be a collaborative partner with the FAA and other aviation organizations. This era of collaboration has emerged from the hard work and relentless dedication of many NATCA members. Today, NATCA representatives from airspace, NextGen, safety, training, and professional standards will lead a panel discussion on these programs and the influence collaboration has had on their progress. New York TRACON (N90) FacRep and Eastern ARVP Dean Iacopelli will moderate this important conversation. "We plan on discussing the effect of NATCA involvement in Agency and aviation-related issues," Iacopelli explained. "We will be discussing the state of these programs prior to NATCA's involvement, how things have changed since NATCA's involvement, and where we see things going in the future." The benefits of collaboration can be seen throughout many programs. It is important to continue to work together to maintain and improve the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS). Stakeholders' involvement in the decision-making process has proven to be vital in achieving success in these programs. Joining Iacopelli on the panel discussion will be representatives from each of the topic areas: National NextGen Representative Mel Davis, National Training Representative Tom Adcock, National Greener Skies Lead Jeff Woods, and National Professional Standards Representative Garth Koleszar. Daryl Hickey, Paul Winstanley, Peter Duffey, Patrik Peters, and Trish Gilbert Executive Vice President Trish Gilbert encouraged the delegates to pass the amendment. "It is time that we constitutionalize the Organizing Committee and make them a standing committee," she said. Organizing Committee Chairman John Bratcher agreed. "Without organizing, you can't have anything else," he said. "Without members, you don't have a family. We want to grow our NATCA family." T h e d e l e g a t i o n v o t e d a n d t h e amendment was passed, making the Organizing Committee a standing committee. A14-16 also sparked some controversy, as seniority typically does. The proposed amendment attempted to define how seniority would be accrued for time before NATCA was certified to represent each bargaining unit. Great Lakes Regional Vice President Bryan Zilonis rose in opposition to the interpretation of the amendment's author and encouraged the delegation to vote against the amendment. Miami Center FacRep Steve Wallace agreed with Zilonis. Referring to seniority, he said "we have made our voice heard many times about that issue". He then moved to end the debate and a vote was called, which resulted in the amendment failing. The aernoon session generated the most debate, as R14-11 was brought before the delegation aer having been postponed the prior day, proposing the elimination of the word "privatization." Gilbert explained the rationalization behind striking the word privatization, saying the word is holding NATCA back from being a key voice in the discussion of the future of the NAS. Atlanta TRACON member Jeff Wonser cautiously supported the resolution saying, "We need to be driving the bus, not sitting in the back." He went on to acknowledge why privatization was originally added to the Constitution, but reiterated Gilbert's remarks that it is important for NATCA to be a key player in all discussions. Oakland Center member Scott Conde also supported the resolution. "This amendment is not this body saying we want to be privatized," he said. "When the battle changes, you have to change the plan. I strongly support the amendment." Delegates opposing the resolution instead expressed interest in using a different word in place of privatization, however Robert's Rules of Order precluded an amendment to the NEB's proposal as outside the scope of the originally proposed change. Southern Regional Vice President Victor Santore voiced his concern over the effects failure to pass the resolution would have on NATCA's contributions to future discussions. "If you are worried about your pay a n d yo u a re wo r r i e d a b o u t o u r retirement, take a look at where the shots are coming from right now," he said. "Something needs to change. Let the best and brightest of your union protect your pay, protect your union, and protect your retirement." The delegation ultimately passed the resolution. The end of day two also brought an end to Convention business, with the exception of untimely amendments and resolutions submitted.

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