Negotiating Tentative Meeting Dates

The FAA and the Union are currently negotiating tentative meeting dates to discuss and/or possibly reach a resolution regarding the recently completed career level reviews. The Union's position in this matter remains that the Agency is in violation of Article 51.

Reply Message

Below is the Union's reply message:

Tom,

I apologize for not responding sooner, we're still trying to decide which day or week would be best to schedule a meeting. We hope to have a decision shortly.

According to FAA directives, there is no one-to-one relationship between current GS/FG grades and the new FAA pay bands. Job assignments to pay bands are based on analysis of competitive private and public sector pay levels. Competitive pay data is collected on as many job series within a job category as possible, and the pay band assignments of the career levels within each job category are based on the market pay levels.

The intent of Article 51 is as follows: after conversion, and within the timeframes stated, the Agency was supposed to evaluate each and every 2154's performance according to the career level definitions to find those who are performing according to level 3 definition; and if found to be so, then promoted with full promotion rights. Not conduct an OPM position evaluation.

The Union's position remains unchanged, the OPM Position Evaluation Statement is a violation of Article 51, and it must be rescinded immediately.

Rufino Sanchez, Jr.
President, NAGE Local R3-10
925 Columbus Ave. #2FS
New York, NY 10025-3760
NAGE Office: 631-468-4320
NAGE Fax: 631-777-6889
Work: 631-468-1425
E-mail: nagelocalr310@aol.com
CC-mail: Rufino.Sanchez@faa.gov

FAA Requesting Meeting to Discuss OPM Position Evaluation Statement Report

Below is the FAA's reply to the Union's demand that the OPM Position Evaluation Statement Report be rescinded:

Rufino,

Article 51 affirmed that employees may request reviews of career level determinations as provided in HRPM 2.3.C. and mandated that the FAA would complete such a review within certain timeframes, depending on the timing of the request. The parties subsequently amended those timeframes and expanded the review to cover all bargaining unit employees.

As I understand it, the reviews were completed in full compliance with the HRPM, and managers will be providing the results of the reviews to the employees. Under the circumstances, I don't see a violation of Article 51.

Nevertheless, I am concerned that NAGE may view things differently, and suggest that we meet in person or by phone to discuss the matter. I will also invite some management officials who were involved in the actual processing of the reviews to provide a fuller understanding. Please let me know when you might be available for such a meeting.

Thanks.

Thomas R Wachter
Collective Bargaining Services, AHL-300
Federal Aviation Administration
202-267-9613