A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/633543
they join their facilities, rather than merely Academy Graduate level pay, as an acknowledgement of th e experience they bring to the FAA. NATCA POCs: Director of Labor Relations Ryan Smith, Senior Labor Relations Attorney Erina Hammond, and former Alaskan RVP Scot Morrison NATCA Submits Post - Hearing Brief for National Grievance Regarding AOV Desk Audits ( 15 - *HQ - 1) In September 2014, NATCA became aware that AOV scheduled a "desk audit" aimed at assessing ATO compliance with Minimum Safe Altitude Warni ng System (MSAW) requirements. On Oct. 1, 2014, NATCA sent the Agency a cease and desist letter, stating that the AOV audit violated Ar ticle 51 of the Parties' CBAs. NATCA filed a national grievance on Oct . 14, 2014, and the FAA denied that grievance on Nov. 3, 2014. The grievance was thereafter approved for arbitration and a hearing date was set for Nov . 9, 2015 , before Arbitrator Shyam Das. During the hearing, NATCA presented convincing testimony from its witnesses: Bryan Zilonis , Steve Hansen, and Troy Barr. On Jan . 22, 2016, the Parties exchanged Post - Hearing Briefs. NATCA's POCs are now awaiting the Arbi trator's decision. NATCA POCs: Director of Labor Relations Ryan Smith, Special Counsel to the President Eugene Freedman, Senior Labor Relations Attorney Chris Gant, and Labor Relations Attorney Greg Shoemaker. Surveys NATCA recommends participation in the Organizational Health Index (OHI) Survey. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Kendal Manson, Labor Relations Coordinator, at kmanson@natcadc.org . NATCA reco mmends participation in the AEFS Online Comment Survey. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Kendal Manson, Labor Relations Coordinator, at kmanson@natcadc.org . GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE : The House is out of session for the week of Jan . 25 due to the massive winter storm that hit Washington, D.C. The House was originally scheduled to be in session for a short week with Democratic lawmakers attending their annual legislative retreat in Baltimore from Wednesday to Friday. The House will re convene on Feb . 1 and the Senate returned on Wednesday, Jan . 27. LONG - TERM FAA REAUTHORIZATION : It is being widely reported that the House Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee is planning a markup of legislation on Thursday, Feb . 11, with a pot ential hearing shortly before the markup. We do not have any additional details we can share at this time but will keep you updated as soon as we can share more information. These dates may change due to the changes to the House calendar following the wint er storm in D . C . , which will push the legislative calendar back. This could limit the potential of floor time for a House vote on the FAA bill, should it get marked up. Ahead of any markup, Chairman Shuster's staff is expected to release a draft of the FAA Reauthorization bill sometime within the next ten days. HILL DISCUSSION HAS STARTED ON ANOTHER EXTENSION: Many congressional staffers and members believe that the House and Senate will not be able to finalize and enact a new FAA reauthorization bill in ti me for the March 31 deadline. Therefore, another extension for FAA reauthorization will be necessary at this point. An