NATCA Bookshelf

MAY 18-20, 2015 n i w . n a t c a . n e t Toby: As a NATCAvist, you can't allow NiW to be the only contact between you and your congressional counterparts. You have to take the time to get them out to your facility. When they come, put your best foot forward and highlight the positives of your facility. Take the time to aend local events. You want to get to the point where your member of Congress recognizes your face. In what ways has your relationship benefited NATCA? Mitch: Because of our relationships, I have been able to pick up the phone, call a member's cell phone, and explain our position on legislation prior to votes. NATCA and our Section 804 Commiee (formerly the Realignment Commiee) helped craft much of the language now in the law in Section 804 of the 2012 FAA Reauthorization. The fact that we now have a clear definition of realignment in the law is concrete evidence of NATCA's influence on Capitol Hill. Have you had any challenges? Denise: I would say the biggest challenge I have had is convincing our membership that it was, and is, beneficial to support one of our Republican members of Congress. We have a great relationship with Congressman Reichert and his staff. We continue to work with him by educating his office on our issues, and then he has the tools and factual information to support us from within his party. Mitch: We have had offices that have changed hands several times. A Republican, who was a friend of ours, held one office in particular. A Democrat named Joe asked us to support him in his bid to unseat our friend. We told him, "NATCA has a relationship with the incumbent, and we are loyal to our friends. It would send the wrong message if we abandoned them because of a party affiliation." Our friend won, and we strengthened our relationship with him. Sometimes you have to have difficult conversations with members and candidates. It can be uncomfortable. That is what makes it sweeter when you are able to get one to hear your position and agree with you. Winning is fun, and it is addictive. Toby: It is easy to be disappointed with progress in building your relationship. Remember, every other person out there believes their issue is the most important thing and should be at the top of the list. I have found that being persistent and respectful is the best plan of action. It takes time to make the relationship strong — and even more time to keep it strong. Do you have any advice for NATCAvists who are just starting out? Denise: Get members of Congress into your facilities to give tours, and show up in their offices. Work hard to get to know them! Legislative work for our union is challenging, rewarding, and can be really effective in creating positive results! Mitch: Read the member's personal bio, and find out what they are interested in — what their passions are, and where they went to school, or what branch of the military they were in. The members do not always have to "talk business." In fact, often times it is the person in the room who gives them a brief respite from politics and talks to them about something they like personally who will build a relationship with them. You don't build a relationship just by aending a fundraiser and giving them money. Anyone can just "drop off a check." It's what you say and how you conduct yourself once you are in the room that maers. Remember, you represent NATCA and our organization's integrity and honor. Always be aware that the things you do and say reflect upon NATCA. Toby: The best piece of advice I can offer is to be yourself. Don't pretend to know more than you do. If you don't know an answer to a question, tell them you don't know but will find out. They are just people and generally are interested in other things than just work topics. I like to save the really hard subjects for the staffers. Keep the conversation with the member friendly and upbeat! Denise and Rep. Dave Reichert, R-WA-8 Mitch and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-FL-27 Toby and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-IL 13

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