A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/764040
NATCA NATIONAL OFFICE DEPARTMENTAL WEEK IN REVIEW December 3 - 9 , 2016 LABOR RELATIONS DEPARTMENT NATCA AND AGENCY REACH AGREEMENT ON GROUND BASED AUGMENTATION SYSTEM ( GBAS) SCOPING DOCUMENT On April 12, 2016, the Agency briefed NATCA on the Ground Based Augmentation System (GBAS), which is a new system that will allow approaches in CAT III conditions and is intended to create efficiencies in the New York/New Jersey airspace (and later other m etropolitan areas). The Agency has asked for a NATCA subject ma tter expert to participate in the workgroup. After several months of discussion, NATCA and the Agency reached agreement on a scoping document outlining the workgroup for GBAS. The scoping document was signed by the parties on Dec . 6, 2016. POCs: Ray Adams, NATCA Safety and Technology Terminal Technology Coordinator Bill Geoghagan, and Labor Relations Attorney Suzanne DeFelice . LWS - 8.19 DISABLED VETERANS LEAVE On Dec . 9, 2016, NATCA received a briefing from the Agency regarding policy LWS - 8.19 Disabled Vete rans Leave that provides up to 104 hours of paid leave that can be used to seek treatment of a service - connected disability. The Agency described this as a new leave category that will be available to any FAA employee hired on or after Nov . 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service - c onnected disability rated at 30 percent or more to undergo medical treatment for the service - connected disability. The disabled veteran leave will be available during the 12 - month period following the employee's date of hire or the effective date of the employee's qualifying service - connected disability, whichever is later. During the briefing, an issue arose regarding when disabled veteran leave would be available to an em ployee under various scenarios. NATCA will follow - up in writing with the Agency to clarify this issue. The deadline for NATCA to submit proposals to the Agency is Dec . 27, 2016. NATCA will submit proposals by that deadline. POCs: Director of Labor Relations Ryan Smith, Assistant Director of Labor Relations Erin a Hammond, Labor Relations Attorney Grant Mulkey, and Phil Barbarello . BRIEFING REQUESTS On Dec . 13, 2016, NATCA requested a briefing on FAA Order 8110.56, Revision B, which revises Aircraft Certification Service's policy on the type certification of both civil derived and military derived restricted category aircraft. We are currently waiting for a response from the Agency regarding our request. POCs: Labor Relations Representative Melinda Kim and Labor Relations Coordinator Kendal M anson.