A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/572176
NATCA POCs: Labor Relations Attorney Nicole Vitale and Labor Relations Coordinator Kendal Manson. On September 11, 2015, NATCA requested a briefing on the implementation of FAA Notice JO 1320.172, Interim Notice and Letter of Authorization (LOA) Guidance that Affects Maintenance Technical Han dbooks (MTHB). We are currently waiting for a response from the Agency regarding our request. NATCA POCs: Labor Relations Representative Melinda Kim and Labor Relations Coordinator Kendal Manson. On September 8, 2015, NATCA requested a briefing on the cancellation of Human Resources Policy Manual (HRPM) EMP - 1.20A, Employment of Retired Military A ir Traffic Controllers Program. We are currently waiting for a response from the Agency regardin g our request. NATCA POCs: Senior Labor Relations Attorney Erina Hammond and Labor Relations Coordinator Kendal Manson. GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE : Both the House and Senate returned from recess on September 8 and were in sess ion last week. Both chambers are working on a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government after this year's funding ends on September 30, but at this time no negotiations are under way for a long - term spending package. CONTINUED UNPREDICTABLE, UNST ABLE 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 (C R) will need to be enacted to authorize 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 t o 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 enacte d by October 1. Debt Ceiling Increase: 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 shut down brinkmanship. SHUTDOWN/CR : A continuing resolution (CR) will be necessary 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 go vernment at current 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, and will be eating up floor time this coming week. Government affairs staff will continue our meetings on the Hill to address the detrimental effects of a government shutdown to the NAS. SEQUESTRATION UPDATE : A sequester compromise seems unlikely before the end of the fis cal year. Sequestration has been used as a tool to reduce the federal budget,