NATCA Bookshelf

NATCA NATIONAL OFFICE DEPARTMENTAL WEEK IN REVIEW November 5-11, 2016 LABOR RELATIONS DEPARTMENT NATCA LABOR RELATIONS SETTLES DEBT CASE NATCA Labor Relations has reached a settlement with the FAA Office of Chief Counsel on behalf of an employee who allegedly received a salary overpayment and was defending against an agency claim to recover the alleged indebtedness. NATCA's pay expert in the case determined that the employee owed an amount significantly less than what the Agency claimed, and the Agency agreed to settle the case for the reduced amount. The settlement agreement also allowed the employee to repay the alleged debt via a 24-month payment plan with no interest and circumvented a hearing before the Department of Transportation Office of Administrative Law Judges. POC: Assistant Director of Labor Relations Nicole Vitale. FAA BRIEFING ON ACE-600 REORG On Sept. 19, 2016, the FAA notified NATCA about upcoming organizational changes to the Airports Division (ACE-600). On Nov. 9, 2016, Jim Johnson, Manager of the Central Region Airports Division, gave the briefing on the reorganization. The Office of Airports has been working to balance itself for several years, using geo-balance and right sizing. In 2012, it reorganized positions, and this official reorganization is an alignment of the BUS codes to reflect the changes that are already in effect. NATCA has been involved in this process. The proposed effective date was Oct. 1, 2016. That date was delayed and the changes went into effect during the second pay period of October. POCs: Scott Tener, NATCA Regional Representative for Airports Division in the Central Region and Labor Relations Attorney Suzanne DeFelice. AIT REORGANIZATION MOU On Nov. 10, 2016, NATCA and the Agency reached a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concerning the reorganization of the Office of Information & Technology (AIT). The MOU is pending final execution by all signatories. The MOU provides that there will be no changes in pay, BUS code, or geographic location for any bargaining unit employee (BUE). It further provides that NATCA and the Agency will work collaboratively to resolve any problems that may arise out of a BUE's reassignment to a new position. POCs: Region X RVP Mike MacDonald, Region X ARVP Ed Szczuka, AIT National Representative Ken Slauson, AIT Representative Mike Delaunay, Assistant Director of Labor Relations Nicole Vitale, and Labor Relations Staff Attorney Grant Mulkey. BRIEFING REQUESTS On Nov. 14, 2016, NATCA requested a briefing on the ACTIGRAPH Study of Bargaining Unit Employees at Oakland Center (ZOA). We are currently waiting for a response from the Agency regarding our request. POCs: Assistant Director of Labor Relations Erina Hammond and Administrative Assistant Peggy Patrick-Jones.

• Cover