NATCA Bookshelf

Patricia C. Gilbert Executive Vice President Steve Weidner National Legislative Committee Chairman Paul M. Rinaldi President Paul M. Rinaldi President Patricia C. Gilbert Executive Vice President Steve Weidner Legislative Committee Chair WELCOME Dear Brothers and Sisters, Welcome to beautiful Capitol Hill and Washington, D.C.! For our Union, springtime in Washington means the spirited and crucially important gathering of more than 400 dedicated NATCAvists. We love that you have shown such a strong interest in and enthusiasm for NATCA's legislative activism. To all of you, we extend a profound thank you for being here on your own time. You should take great pride in being here this week, engaging in the most important issues for our Union, and being ready to work for your fellow brothers and sisters. Whether you've been to many NATCA in Washington events or this is your first one, we welcome you to our nation's capital! We have a great program planned for you this year. Our advice to you this week is to absorb as much information as you can, ask questions, and remember that you are representing not just yourselves, but all NATCA members. We hope you will learn new strategies to continue your important legislative work after you return home and that you spread the word about everything you learn this week. Nobody knows your professions like you. When you meet with members of Congress and their staffs, remember that you are the subject matter experts. You work on the front lines of aviation safety. You will have the unique opportunity to report what your job is like, describe how the National Airspace System runs, and explain the necessary steps to ensure the future safety and efficiency of the system directly to Congress. We again find ourselves in the midst of an ever-changing political and legislative landscape. Attacks on federal workers' pay and benefits continue to be a priority for this Administration, which we are fighting at every step. As we write this, legislators are working to enact policies that would slash your retirement benefits and directly diminish your take-home pay. Additionally, we continue to face the reality of an unstable, unpredictable funding stream that is regularly threatened by government shutdowns, sequestration, and budget cuts. But, NATCA remains an integral part of the conversation as policy makers craft legislation. NATCA is vigorously opposing any legislation that would reduce your pay or benefits, and we will continue to fight those attacks this week. NATCA also recently supported, and the House resoundingly passed, H.R. 4, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, which provides FAA authorization for the next five years. This bill is one step toward a more stable, predictable funding stream, but we still have a long way to go. The Senate will take up the issue of reauthorization next, and funding also must be addressed through the appropriations process in both houses. Many issues that are crucial to you and your facilities — such as hiring, staffing, training, official time, technology, infrastructure, and modernization — are directly tied to lawmakers' work on both short-term and long-term planning and funding for the Agency. Your perspective matters to your legislators. On behalf of your National Executive Board and your National Legislative Committee, welcome and thank you! We hope you will take full advantage of this unique event intended to educate, inspire, and prepare you to channel your dedication and passion for aviation safety and your Union into a year of legislative activism. Enjoy your week! In solidarity, 3

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