Bargaining with the FAA

In today’s enormously pro-management environment in the Agency, Federal Labor Relations Authority, and Federal Courts, it is exceptionally difficult to negotiate with the FAA.

Each Union representing FAA employees have used different approaches in representing their bargaining unit members in contract negotiations.

NATCA - This Union pursued a more combative approach, it attempted to have Congress and/or the Senate amend the instrument that the FAA has been using to impose contracts, USC Title 49. Congress failed to amend USC Title 49 by approximately 8 votes, and contract negotiations between NATCA and the FAA concluded in an impasse. In the end, the FAA imposed an inharmonious Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Click here to view the imposed NATCA/FAA contract.

PASS – This Union used its negotiation tools in an attempt to improve their bargaining position. PASS withdrew their counterproposal, and accepted the FAA’s exceedingly stern counterproposal. However, in the ratification election, PASS strongly recommended to its members to vote “no” for ratification, and the members overwhelmingly voted “no”. The FAA filed a ULP complaint regarding the tactics used by PASS. The FAA initially did not prevail; the FLRA dismissed the ULP complaint. On appeal, the General Counsel reversed the ruling, issued a ULP charge against PASS, and reverted the matter back to the FLRA for a hearing. If the Agency prevails in this hearing, the FAA would have the authority to implement the agreed upon CBA, which is currently the FAA’s uncompromising counterproposal. Click here to view the FAA’s counterproposal.

NAGE Local R3-10 – Our local approached the CBA negotiations with the belief that Unions have to able to negotiate in both pleasant and unpleasant environments. Our main mission was to get the best possible deal/agreement from the FAA. In this endeavor, we reached a tentative agreement with the FAA, and the overwhelming Union members voted “yes” for ratification. Currently, the tentative CBA is being reviewed by the Agency Head, in accordance with applicable laws. Click here to view the NAGE Local R3-10/FAA tentative CBA.

In January 2007, the Democrats took control of Congress and the Senate; hopefully this would improve the give and take (negotiating) atmosphere in the FAA.