On June 10, 1999, the House Transportation Appropriations Committee approved language that would and/or could undermine agreements legally reached between the Federal Aviation Administration and NATCA.  The specific provisions contained in the House language are "Interim Incentive Pay," "Controller in Charge," and "Within-Grade and Grade-to-Grade Increases,"  I strongly oppose this language.

In each of these cases, the FAA and NATCA have specific agreements on funding levels, pay percentages and overall management concepts.  These three initiatives contained in the House language do nothing more than undermine or potentially undermine the FAA/NATCA agreements reached in July 1998.  We hope Congress does not interfere with a legally negotiated agreement between the employer and its union.  The integrity of the agreement should remain in full force and effect.

PL 104-264 gave negotiability rights to the FAA and NATCA to reach an agreement on issues previously non-negotiable under Title V U.S.C.  In granting that right, only impasses between the two parties would go before the final arbiter, Congress.  Since no such impasse has occurred, the Congress should let stand and honor agreements reached between the FAA and its unions.  To do otherwise in a direct or indirect manner would undermine the intent of PL 104-264. 

As a controller from (EITHER HIS  STATE/DISTRICT OR IF YOU ARE NOT A CONSTITUENT, THE STATE/DISTRICT YOU ARE FROM),  I believe, if enacted, the language would have a chilling effect on legal contract negotiations granted by Congress.

Sincerely yours,

NAME
FAA Air Traffic Controller
XYZ Facility