Support HR2881 - FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/housevote?rk=y7LP2Dp1BGZGE

Info:

Support HR2881 - FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Aviation Subcommittee marked up the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Bill (HR2881) on June 28th, 2007. In order to introduce it as a bipartisan bill, two labor issues were removed from the original draft and were offered as amendments at the insistence of Congressman Mica. The issues were the NATCA language on dispute resolution; as well as another labor issue.

After extensive debate on the amendment, NATCA's issue won overwhelmingly with strong bipartisan support (53-16).



The bill (HR2881) is scheduled to be brought to the floor on or about September 19, 2007. We would like to garner as much BIPARTISAN support as possible for this bill.



This is not just a NATCA issue, it is an AFL-CIO priority. The AFL-CIO, PASS, AFSMCE and NATCA are supporting HR2881. This clause would cover 12 imposed “contracts” by the FAA on their employees represented by NATCA.



The Administration is already exaggerating costs and misleading Members of Congress on the impact to system, taxpayers and industry.



Chairman Oberstar and Chairman Costello are committed to helping FAA workers by restoring a fair collective bargaining process. A reauthorization bill which includes a retroactive clause would allow the employees an ability to fairly negotiate a contract, instead of having it imposed.



This letter can be edited. If you do so, please proof read the letter to prior to submitting.




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· Give facility specific staffing issues and impact to the system





· HR 2881 also has a ceiling for how much can be spent on this section—The ceiling built in is for no more than $20 million.



· SUPPORT THE FAA REAUTHORIZATION BILL (HR 2881) WHEN IT COMES TO THE FLOOR.



· OPPOSE ANY EFFORT TO STRIKE LANGUAGE FROM SECTION 601 OF HR 2881 WHEN IT COMES TO THE FLOOR.


From the email:


This week the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on HR2881 - FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007. The House bill not only contains language to correct the bargaining process at the FAA but also would require NATCA and the FAA to return to the bargaining table.



Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
HR2443 House minus co

Below is the sample letter:

Subject: Vote "yes" on HR2881!! FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007

Dear ,

I am writing to ask for your support and affirmative vote on HR2881, the "Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Act of 2007".

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure marked up HR2881 on June 28th, 2007. During the markup an amendment was introduced that adds language to correct the unfair collective bargaining process at the FAA. The amendment, sponsored by Chairman Costello (IL-12), won with overwhelming BIPARTISAN support (53-16). If enacted, HR2881 would allow the employees the ability to fairly negotiate a contract, instead of having it unilaterally imposed on them by the FAA.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), the Professional Airways Systems Specialists (PASS) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), who together represent over 30,000 employees of the FAA all support HR2881. They support the bill because the FAA has refused to use a fair collective bargaining process with its employees.

* The FAA has imposed new work rules on nearly all of NATCA's bargaining units without the consent of the union or ratification by any of the covered employees.

* Four out of five Professional Airways System Specialists (PASS) contracts have been at impasse for over four years.

* In PASS's technicians unit, the FAA's proposed agreement was rejected by 98% of the voting members, but the agency refused to return to the bargaining table.

* The FAA reached agreement in 2001 with AFSCME, but refused to implement it.

I believe a legislative remedy is required because the Agency has refused to negotiate in good faith during the collective bargaining process. NATCA has made every effort to resolve these issues with the FAA. Just recently, the Agency and NATCA held discussions at the request of Chairman Oberstar and Chairman Costello. The bottom line is the FAA asked for $1.6 billion in savings. NATCA offered $1.6 billion in concessions yet the FAA rejected it. NATCA has bargained in good faith and the FAA continues to hide behind a flawed interpretation of impasse procedures and bargaining.


The employees of the FAA need your help restoring fairness at the FAA. I am asking for your support and an affirmative vote on HR2881.

Thanks,

The negative effects of the imposed work rules are real and exacerbating a staffing
crisis in the FAA. For example, the pay freezes imposed on a majority of the air
traffic controller workforce are causing
many to retire as soon as they become eligible. We are losing an average of three controllers per day in a workforce of less than 15,000. Newly hired trainees take 3 to 5 years to certify and are not certifying soon enough to adequately replace those retiring.

Sincerely,

http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/housevote?rk=y7LP2Dp1BGZGE

[pinto]

1. This is one good, belated, step. And a long time coming. Good bill.

:thumbsup: