A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/568433
NATCA POCs: Central Region RVP Kevin Peterson a nd Labor Relations Attorney Greg Shoemaker. BRIEFINGS On September 8, 2015 , NATCA requested a briefing on the Agency's plans to implement mandatory training on the No FEAR Act and Whistleblower Protection Laws. We are currently waiting for a response from the Agency regarding our request. NATCA POCs: Labor Relations Representa tive Melinda Kim and Labor Relations Coordinator Kendal Manson . SURVEYS NATCA recommends participation in the En Route ATC Perfor mance Measure Research Survey. A copy of this survey can be found on the members - only website at NATCA.org. If you have any qu estions, please contact Labor Relations Coordinator Kendal Manson at kmanson@natcadc.org . NATCA recommends participation in the Advance Method Site Visit Questions. A copy of this survey can be found on the memb ers - only website at NATCA.org. If you have any questions, please contact Labor Relations Coordinator Kendal Manson at kmanson@natcadc.org . GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE: Both the House and Senate returned from recess on September 8. Their immediate priority will be funding the federal government by September 30, likely through a continuing resolution (CR). CONTINUED UNPREDICTABLE, UNSTABLE FUNDING FOR FAA : September 30, which marks the end of the fiscal year, will be packed with legislative deadlines, which highlight the continuing concerns NATCA has about the lack of stable and predictable funding for the FAA. Continuing Resolution (CR) will need to be enacted to autho rize government funding beyond September 30 to avoid a government shutdown; FAA Extension : Since the FAA Reauthorization bill will not be enacted by September 30, we will need a short term FAA Reauthorization extension to authorize FAA funding and avoid a partial shutdown of the FAA; Sequestration : The implementation of sequestration cuts will commence throughout government agencies, including the FAA, if funding addressing the required sequester budget caps is not enacted by October 1. Debt Ceiling Incr ease : Treasury Secretary Lew has told Congress that we will reach the debt ceiling sometime at the end of October. Increasing the debt ceiling has been a contentious issue for the past four years, contributing to the shutdown brinkmanship. SHUTDOWN/CR: A t this time, a continuing resolution (CR) is almost a certainty to fund the government beyond September 30. The expectation is that Congress would pass a three month CR that would require action sometime in December. A CR would fund the government at curre nt funding levels and allow Congress to continue to work on appropriations bills. Several partisan issues, such as the effort to defund Planned Parenthood, and the Iran nuclear deal are likely to affect CR negotiations. Government