NATCA Bookshelf

ISSUE Official time at the FAA gives employees paid time to resolve disputes, negotiate changes in working conditions, and collaborate on workgroups that implement new procedures, such as NextGen. There is a misperception on Capitol Hill that official time is an abused program and that eliminating official time would save the government money. Each year we inevitably see legislation, or amendments to legislation, that would eliminate the use of official time for government employees, including those at the FAA. MESSAGE Official time is necessary for NATCA members, and for members of all federal sector unions. Official time is an especially important tool now as the FAA works to modernize our nation's air traffic control system. The elimination of official time would prevent NATCA members from working with the FAA on procedures vital to the success of NextGen, and hinder collaboration and progress. BACKGROUND By law, Congress established official time to ensure that all workers receive fair representation. Yet every year a bill is introduced to limit or abolish official time. In fact, over the past three years, we have had two recorded and defeated votes on the issue. These victories were a direct result of NATCA's efforts to educate members of Congress and their staff at both the local and national levels. Rep. Jody Hice (R-GA) has recently introduced an anti-official time bill (H.R. 1658), which NATCA opposes. Official time MAY be used to: • 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 maers 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. Official time CANNOT be used to: • Conduct internal union maers. • Recruit new union members. • Collect union dues. • Conduct union elections. • Electioneer for union offices. FULL BACKGROUND n i w . n a t c a . n e t MAY 18-20, 2015 29

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