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THE DELEGATE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2016 10 On behalf of NATCA's Safety and Technology Department, we're glad you're here at NATCA's 16th Biennial Convention in San Diego! Air traffic control is the ultimate team "sport" and this week has been another great opportunity for the membership to work towards improving working conditions for all of NATCA's represented aviation professionals and continue to contribute to the growth, efficiency, and prosperity of the world's safest and most efficient air traffic control system. Much has changed since we last met in Minneapolis in 2014, and NATCA continues to be a highly respected organization whose opinion and insight is sought after by many stakeholders in the aviation community. The value of collaborating with the FAA and others in the aviation industry has proven to be extremely beneficial to our workforce and has led to the implementation of numerous NextGen programs. As all of you are well aware, we are facing a staffing crisis that will ultimately take some years to improve. The staffing crisis, combined with the success NATCA has had in working on numerous projects designed to improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System, has undoubtedly caused some to question the effect on staffing at the facility level. The pressure on our facilities to release qualified NATCA representatives and subject matter experts (SMEs) is measurable, but our continued participation also holds great value. Based on our recent successes, the FAA is asking NATCA to work on many ongoing and new programs. Our value comes in ensuring the people who work airplanes every day, and our other valuable aviation experts in the field, have a say in the implementation of new technologies and procedures. As many of you are aware, a vast majority of new projects, and the development of new procedures, does not happen quickly. Many programs take years between design, development, verification, implementation, and then future enhancements. It is not unusual for some of these projects to have a five-to-10 year lifespan. When taken from the view of just a few programs, NATCA's involvement may not seem to some like a huge strain on our workforce. However, when considering we are involved in somewhere between 50-to-70 programs at any given time, the effect is clear. We must also consider some of the bigger projects, like ERAM, TAMR, and Data Comm, and the large number of NATCA Reps and SMEs that must be involved in their development, testing, and implementation. As an air traffic controller for over 26 years, and with the history of being a NATCA Representative at several different levels, I'm well versed in conversations and comments that take place in the operation. I know some of our hardworking Brothers and Sisters make comments at times regarding the absence of their coworkers. With the ever worsening staffing issues being felt at a vast majority of facilities, this type of commentary is going to occur. I would simply ask everyone to attempt to understand and consider the value our workforce brings to the work that takes them away from their home facilities. As a former member of NATCA's Executive Board, I know the value our organization gives to collaboration. It is the best way to do business and has greatly benefitted our workforce, as the newly ratified 2016 Collective Bargaining Agreement proves. In fact, there is an article in the 2016 CBA solely about collaboration, showing just how much we value collaboration. I encourage everyone to spend a few minutes reading the language contained in Article 114, and think about the amazing value of having that language in a Collective Bargaining Agreement. Working in collaboration is not easy and takes a vast amount of time and resources; however, it is arguably the best way to operate when we are afforded the opportunity. We must continue to work hard to balance the duties asked of us as a collaborative stakeholder on many levels, and the job of running the busiest, safest, and most efficient airspace system in the world. NATCA's Safety and Technology Department has a booth at this year's convention, and we ask that you take the time to stop by and ask some of our great NATCA reps any questions you may have on anything and everything related to safety and technology. ✪ ULLMANN: COLLABORATION IS KEY Jim Ullmann Director of Safety & Technology

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