A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/624148
NATCA POCs: Labor Relations Attorney Greg Shoemaker and Labor Relations Attorney Suzanne DeFelice . On Dec . 30, 2015, NATCA requested a briefing on the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations. We are currently waiting for a response from the Agency r egarding our briefing re quest. NATCA POCs: Labor Relations Attorney Damien Maree, Labor Relations Attorney Suzanne DeFelice, and Labor Relations Coordinator Kendal Manson . On Dec . 30, 2015, NATCA requested a briefing o n FAA Order JO 7930.2Q, NOTAM. We are currently in the proce s s of scheduling this briefing. NATCA POCs: Labor Relations Representative Melinda Kim, Labor Relations Attorney Suzanne DeFelice, and Labor Rela tions Coordinator Kendal Manson. On Dec . 30, 2015, NATCA requested a briefing on the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) ATCT notification calls. We are currently in the process of scheduling this briefing. NATCA POCs: Senior Labor Relations Attorney Erina Hammond, Labor Relations Attorney Suzanne DeFelice, and Labor Rela tions Coordinator Kendal Manson. Surveys NATCA recommends participation in the ZOA In - Trail Procedure (ITP) Survey. If you have any questions pertaining to this survey, please contact Kendal Manson, Labor Relations Coordinator at kmanson@natcadc.org . NATCA doe s not recommend participation in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Benefits Survey. If you have any questions pertaining to this survey, please contact Kendal Manson, Labor Relations Coordinator at kmanson@n atcadc.org . GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE : The House came back into session on January 5 and the Senate is scheduled to return on January 11. With campaign season underway, lawmakers will not be in town as much this year and are already planning on taking off seven weeks in July and August for the national party conventions and an additional five weeks in October for campaigns. Read below for a lay of the land for 2016. FISCAL YEAR 2016 SPENDING ENACTED : As a reminder, the House and Senate approved a $1.8 trillion package of spending bills and tax breaks before leaving town for the holidays. The legislation provided government funding for the remainder of Fiscal Year (FY) 2016. NATCA worked tirelessly with appropriators to ensure that the FAA was properly funded during these tough budget times. The omnibus bill provides roughly $16.3 billion for the FAA, with $9.9 billion going to the operations budget. RESTORING ORDER TO THE BUDGET PROCESS : Lawmakers have high hopes of restoring order to the budget process in 2016. Members of Congress are already outlining their goal of funding the government on time this year, a task that hasn't been accomplished on time in two decades. In order to do so, Congress would need to pass all twelve a nnual app ropriations bills by Oct. 1, which is the start of the new fiscal year. Republican leaders have vowed to make this a priority this year, and Speaker Paul Ryan has said he wants to begin consideration of spending bills on the House floor by mid -