A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/626428
LABOR RELATIONS DEPARTMENT NATCA Negotiates Grandfathering - In Provisions for Retired Military Controllers in Response to the FAA's Cancellation of the RMC Program The FAA recently decided to end its Retired Military Controllers program and consequently cancelled its policy covering the program, EMP - 1.20a, the Employment of Retired Military Air Traffic Controllers Program. NATCA requested a briefing from the Agency pursuant to Article 7 of the parties' collective bargaining agreement, and the Agency briefed NATCA regarding the cancellation on Oc t. 7, 2015. Despite the program's cancellation, the Agency has agreed that current RMCs will be grandfathered in and will serve the duration of their time - limited appointments. Further, the Agency has agreed to provide default consideration of RMCs under vacancy announcements for non - covered positions for which the RMCs are otherwise qualifi ed. This addresses a problem that NATCA recently brought to the FAA's attention via a National Grievance. The parties have agreed that vacancy announcements do not have to specifically state that RMCs are included within an Area of Consideration for RMCs t o be considered, if RMCs are otherwise qualified. NATCA continues to negotiate with the FAA over the specific criteria for allowing RMCs to extend their current appointments for additional one - year terms, which can then again be re - extended. RMCs with ques tions or concerns should contact their NATCA Facility Representatives. NATCA POCs: Director of Labor Relations Ryan Smith, Eastern RVP Dean Iacopelli, SW RVP Andrew LeBovidge, Phil Barbarello, Scott Conde, and Senior Labor Relations Attorney Erina Hammond . Ballots Due Soon for AFN Election Eligible voters in the Federal Labor Relation Authority election within the Office of Finance and Management (AFN) should return their ballots as soon as possible to ensure that they are counted. NATCA is currently in a r unoff election with AFSCME to determine what union will represent the bargaining unit eligible emplo yees in the new AFN - wide unit. Ballots are due in the Federal Labor Relations Authority's San Francisco Regional Office by Jan . 13, 2015. The Authority will count the ballots on Jan . 14, 2015. NATCA POCs: Special Counsel to the President Eugene Freedman, Region X RVP Mike MacDonald, NOC Chairman John Bratcher, LR Attorney Nicole Vitale . NATCA Files Grievance Regarding Agency's Refusal to Bargain Over Southwe st Regional Inclement Weather Policy On Jan . 7, 2016, NATCA filed a national grievance regarding the Agency's refusal to bargain over the Southwest Regi onal Inclement Weather Policy. The Agency issued the Southwest Regional Inclement Weather Policy on Nov . 6, 2015. On December 3, 2015, NATCA ESW Local President Patrick Massie met with Regional Administrator Kelvin Solco under Article 8 of the CBA to discuss this change in working conditions. On Dec . 22, 2015, Solco issued a memorandum regarding the meetin g, in which he stated that the Agency believes there is no significant change so it is not ob ligated to bargain with NATCA. As a remedy, NATCA has requested that the Agency immediately cease and desist from violating the CBA; provide a full meeting in acco rdance with Article 7, Section 2 of the CBA, and negotiate with NATCA to the full extent required by law, rule, regulation, past practice, and the CBA. NATCA POCs: Region X RVP Mike MacDonald, ESW Local President Patrick Massie, LR Attorney Nicole Vitale .