A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/592965
the status of some of the challenged ballots from the recen t election. The FAA has conceded that 18 of the voters who cast challenged ballots are eligible to be incl uded in the bargaining unit. The FLRA hearing officer will open those ballots on Thursday, October 29 at 1 p.m. EDT at the San Francisco Regional Of fice. NATCA will update the membership with the results of the count. NATCA POCs: NOC Cha irman John Bratcher, Region X RVP Mike MacDonald, Special Counsel to the President Eugene Freedman, Labor R elations Attorney Nicole Vitale. NATCA FILES NATIONAL GRIEVANCE OVER THE CONTRACTING OUT OF AIT HELPDESK AND DESKSIDE SERVICES On October 20, 2015, NATCA filed a national grievance regarding the Agency's decision to contract out helpdesk and deskside support services in the Office of Information Technology (A IT). On October 6, 2015, NATCA became aware that the Agency had awarded a contract to Chickasa w National Industries Global Solutions (CNIGS) to provide these services starting on October 15, 2015. As a result of this new contract, all new helpdesk incidents will be assigned to CNIGS contractors instead of the NATCA bargaining unit employees wh o cur rently perform this work. The Agency failed to involve NATCA in its decision or to bargain with NATCA over the impacts pri or to implementing the change. The Agency's unilateral determination that helpdesk and deskside support services should be contracted out and failure to fulfill its bargaining obligations violates the CBA, including but not limited to Articles 7 and 32; 5 U.S.C. Chapter 71; and other applicable laws, rules, regulations and past practice. As a remedy, NATCA has requested that the Agency c ease and desist its violation of the CBA and the law; if the Agency has initiated a review to determine if helpdesk and deskside support work performed by NATCA BUEs should be contracted out, invite NATCA to participate; negotiate with NATCA to the full ex tent required by the law and CBA; and any other remedy deemed appropriate. NATCA POCs: Region X RVP Mike MacDonald, National ARC Representative Ken Slauson, LR Attorney Nicole Vitale . BRIEFING REQUESTS On October 21, 2015, NATCA requested a briefing on ch anges made to the FAA's Reimbursable Program. We are currently waiting for a response from th e Agency regarding our request. NATCA POCs: Labor Relations Representative Melinda Kim and Labor Relations Coordinator Kendal Manson . SURVEYS NATCA recommends par ticipation in the NVS Air Traffic Early User In volvement Event (EUIE) Survey. If you have any questions regarding this survey, please contact Labor Relations Coordinator Kendal Manson at kmanson@natcadc.org . GO VERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE : The House and Senate were in session last week. Both chambers will be in session again next week as they face several looming Congressional deadlines.