A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/693369
integrate lessons learned into the operation to continuously refine an d improve processes. NATCA is working on a scoping document to create a workgroup with the FAA. NATCA POCs: Tony Smith, DCC NATCA FacRep, Director of Safety and Technology Jim Ullmann, Safety and Technology's Mark Prestrude, and Labor Relations Attorney S uzanne DeFelice . BRIEFING REQUESTS On June 10, 2016, NATCA requested a briefing on the Organization Designation Authorization ( ODA) Scorecard Implementation. We are currently waiting for a response from the Agency regarding our request. POCs: Labor Relat ions Representative Suzanne DeFelice and Labor Relations Coordinator Kendal Manson . SURVEYS NATCA recommends participation in the FY16 AIT Strategy and Performanc e Customer Satisfaction Survey. If you have any questions regarding this survey, please cont act Kendal Manson, Labor Relations Coordinator, at kmanson@natcadc.org . GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE : Both the House and Senate are in session the week of June 13. The clock is ticking, as Congress gets closer to its scheduled summer recess starting July 15. However, there are rumors that Congress may recess f or summer as early as June 24. As a reminder, FAA authority expires on July 15 and we will need a reauthorization or extension to avoid a partial - shutdown at the Agency. NATCA PRESIDENT PAUL RINALDI TO TESTIFY ON STAFFING CRISIS : NATCA President Paul Rinaldi has been invited to testify before the House Transportation and Infrastructure's (T&I) Subcommittee on Aviation during a hear ing titled "A Review of Federal Aviation Administration's Air Traffic Controller Hiring, Staffing, and Training Plans" on June 15. NATCA's testimony will focus on causes and implications of the current staffing crisis, as well as recommendations to remedy the issue in a holistic, collaborative manner. Rinaldi will include support for H.R. 5292, the Air Traffic Controller Hiring Improvement Act of 2016, as one recommendation. H.R. 5292: This legislation was introduced by Reps. Carlos Curbelo (R - FL - 26) and S ean Patrick Maloney (D - NY - 18) and would improve the hiring of air traffic controllers by streamlining the process and ensuring a path for Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) students and military v eterans. So far, the bill has achieved broad, bipartisan s upport with over 100 cosponsors split almost evenly between Democrats and Republicans. Click here to view the m ore information about the bill, titled "Air Traffic Controller Hiring Improvement Act of 2016." Staffing Crisis Background : Air traffic controller staffing at the FAA has been a concern for years, but it has now reached a crisis level. The NAS has reached a 27 year low for staffing of Certified Professional Controllers (CPCs). Meanwhile, the FAA has missed its hiring goals in each of the last seven years. With one quarter of the workforce eligible to retire and not enough controllers in the pipeline to rep lace them, the staffing crisis poses an immediate challenge to our workforce and is currently NATCA's priority.