A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/681981
NATCA BRIEFED ON AAQ - 700 AND AAQ - 800 ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE On May 10, 2016, NATCA received a briefing on the Agency's decision to split MMAC Acquisitions (AAQ - 700) into two divisions. AAQ - 700 previously supported both Franchise and Non - Franchise Agency cu stomers. The organizational change splits AAQ - 700 into two divisions: AAQ - 700, which will support only Fee - for - Service customers, and AAQ - 800, which will s upport Non - Franchise Customers. The organizational change will not alter the number of branches, sect ions, managers, or staff. The impacted BUEs' job series, pay, core duties, training, and career progression opportunities likewise will not change. Both organizations will remain at the MMAC. POCs: Region X RVP Mike MacDonald, AFN National Rep Ken Slauson, and Assistant Director o f Labor Relations Nicole Vitale. BRIEFING REQUESTS On May 17, 2016 , NATCA requested a briefing on the Offshore Precipitation Capability (OPC) Operatio nal Awareness Evaluation Plan. We are currently waiting for a response from th e Agency regarding our request. POCs: Assistant Director of Labor Relations Nicole Vitale and Labor Rela tions Coordinator Kendal Manson. On May 16, 2016 , NATCA requested a briefing on FAA Order 8900.362, Policy for Ins tallation of ADS - B OUT Systems. We are currently waiting for a response form the Agency regarding our request. POCs: Senior Labor Relations Attorney Chris Gant and Labor Rela tions Coordinator Kendal Manson. GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE: Both the House and Senate are in session during the week of May 16. With both chambers scheduled to be in recess for the summer starting on July 15, the congressional calendar is quickly winding down. As a reminder, the calendar is compressed this year because of the presidential nomin ating conventions this summer. APPROPRIATIONS BILLS MOVING FORWARD : Appropriations bills will be moving forward on Capitol Hill this week. For the first time this year, House leaders hope to bring a spending bill to the floor, the first of 12 bills neede d to fund the government before Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) starts on October 1. As you may recall, budget rules prevented floor action on appropriations bills until May 15, since House Republicans were unable to pass a budget resolution setting a topline limi t on discretionary spending. The first bill that will be considered is the bill funding the Department of Veterans Affairs and military construction projects (Mil - Con - VA; H.R. 4974), which is usually the least controversial spending measure. Official Time Threats : Anti - official time amendments frequently come up on the House floor during consideration of appropriations bills. During consideration of last year's Mil - Con - VA bill in the House, an amendment was offered by Rep. Jody Hice (R - GA) that would have e liminated official time for federal employees serving at the Department of Veterans Affairs. NATCA GA successfully defeated the amendment when