BUSH ADMINISTRATION ERRORS AGAIN IN LEAVING MAC LABOR SEAT COLD (NATCA's New Ad Blasting Bush)

National Air Traffic Controller Association ^ | 10-25-04 | NATCA

[Se7eN]

BUSH ADMINISTRATION ERRORS AGAIN IN LEAVING MAC LABOR SEAT COLD

10/25/2004

WASHINGTON – In a stinging, backhanded slap to the face of transportation labor just eight days before the presidential election, the Bush Administration has appointed three new members to the Federal Aviation Administration’s Management Advisory Council (MAC) while once again deliberately leaving the seat for a union representative vacant.

The council advises the FAA on policy, budget and regulations. It was established by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 1996 and consists of 18 members who serve three-year terms. The president appoints 10 members and five more are appointed by the transportation secretary. According to a FAA press release on Sept. 19, 2000, the MAC also includes “one designee each from the Department of Transportation, the Department of Defense and an air traffic services union.”

The labor representative is also appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate for a three-year term as long as they remain a leader of their respective union. Subsequent appointments will be made by the Secretary of Transportation.

But the labor seat has never been filled, an abomination which National Air Traffic Controllers Association President John Carr blamed on “politics and a disdain for the workers who keep our air traffic system the safest and best in the world.”

“It’s outrageous, but certainly not all that shocking to watch as the Bush Administration again thumbs its nose at transportation labor and works to deny us our rightful seat at a most important table that is tasked with making sure the FAA fulfills its mission of providing a safe and efficient air traffic system,” Carr said. “I call on the administration to provide a reason why the labor seat is again sitting cold and idle while they work to put fresh faces on the MAC from all other segments of the aviation world.”

Added Carr: “Given the important tasks and challenges facing the aviation industry and the MAC, NATCA believes that it is imperative that labor be represented on the MAC before any further business is conducted.”

In January, 2001, Carr submitted his name to the White House and Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta requesting that he be nominated to serve as the labor representative to the MAC. Carr had personal conversations with both Secretary Mineta and the former FAA administrator on the matter, sent letters and testified before the Congressional aviation authorizing and appropriation committees asking for their support of his candidacy. Numerous members of Congress contacted the Administration on his behalf.

“NATCA is the logical choice to represent the unions of air traffic control system employees. But at this point, I’d just like to see the seat filled, if not by NATCA then with another labor representative,” Carr concluded. “Organized labor must be on the MAC.”

[Se7eN]

The ad they are running says that Bush refuses to hire new air traffic controllers. Their press release, however, says that the administration simply wont fill the labor union seat. Why, I don't know. I'm gonna research it more and hope the folks here can break it down more. It seems absurd to say "disdain for the workers who keep our air traffic system the safest and best in the world."

So it's the 'safest and best in the world' yet they are complaining. Ok..

[MisterRepublican]

I just saw their silly ad here in Florida and thought WHAT? What the hell are these idiots talking about? I have never seen a story, anywhere, about Bush not hiring ATCs. I imagine that is a common reaction.

[atomicpossum]

Do a Reagan on 'em.

[okstate]

I saw the ad on CNN this afternoon. It was not very effective.

[July 4th]

The Bush administration didn't hire me to do something. I guess I'd better form a 527 and complain.

[raptor29]

This is such a weak and unprofessional ad, that it looks almost like a spoof or parody of a real one. Weak, not believable, and no impact against Bush.

[Army Air Corps]

Gee, a labour union is against Bush. Next, you will tell me that Pope John Paul II is Catholic.

[Sting 11]

It's a silly ad. I'm an FAA air traffic controller, hired in 2003 when Bush was president, so that shoots down their assertion right there.

At my facility, Kerry doesn't have 100% support of NATCA members. Several controllers, including myself, are voting for Bush next week.

[Sidebar Moderator]

Please use the original headline/title when posting to help prevent duplicates. Thanks.

[smonk]

this is a labor union that's been hysterically anti-GOP since reagan fired most if them.

sour grapes.

[Sting 11]

Very weak and unprofessional. As a controller, I'm embarassed by it.

[oldbill]

NATCA has a long range game plan that goes as follows:

First, a series of expensive feel-good ads showing how great controllers are and how they keep us safe. These ran for the last year.

Next, a little more strident ad showing that they are understaffed and need more help.

Now, some really bitter ads claiming that flying isn't safe and it's all Bush's fault. Conveniently timed to just before the election.

The end game: If Kerry wins, a strike next year for more new hires (allowing them to work fewer hours). If Bush wins, no strike (remember Reagan?), but work-to-rule slowdowns to get concessions.

This new generation of controllers, who get to retire on a cushy pension while you are still paying off your tuition loans, has not learned from the mistakes of their fired predecessors. Of course, they are salted with some fired troublemakers whom Clinton rehired.

Get ready for cancelled flights and long waits in the airports come next summer - these crybabies are trouble.

[Mister Baredog]

It's a silly ad. I'm an FAA air traffic controller, hired in 2003 when Bush was president,

That says it all, I love FRee Republic, thank you.

[Fledermaus]

All I read was, "waaaaaah, waaaaah, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah".

[finallyatexan]

I have seen the ad at least 3 times this afternoon here in Dallas - I thought it was really stupid.

[CyberAnt]

Excuse me .. can we get real here people .. WHAT UNION SUPPORTS THE PRESIDENT ..?? ZERO - ZIP - NADA !!!

Why should the President go out of his way to give them a voice.

[Tacis]

So, NACYA has been able to steal enough loot from members to be able to afford political TV ads (and the kickbacks/skimming to union officers), great! Having a union rep on a transportation panel will be about as effective as talking to one of Kerry's political scumbags. All you get is lies and the party line. They offer no constructive comments, only what their left wing, in this case, anti-management masters have ordered them to say.

[TheMole]

...a stinging, backhanded slap to the face of transportation labor...

So, what's not to like?

[cynicom]

Thirty years ago they were called PATCO, they were going to show Reagan where the bear went. We all know what happened. These young turks have learned nothing. Always whining, sniveling and running their mouths. During PATCO time we asked them why not resign and take their immense talents elsewhere, not a one resigned. The vast majority of these people never had such a good paying job as they have now.

Like the PATCO people, they would be selling lumber for Home Depot.

[Sting 11]

NATCA national's strong stance for Kerry isn't evident at the local level, at least at my facility. We're pretty much split down the middle. I would presume that many other facilities are the same way...controllers come from all walks of life, lots of us are conservatives.

As for under-staffing, it is something that will occur eventually, but despite what NATCA is saying, hiring is taking place by this administration (if it wasn't, I'd be doing something completely different for a career). I'm confident that a second Bush administration would hire enough controllers to bridge the retirement gap; they aren't stupid.

As for a strike, don't bet on that, ever. Many NATCA members would simply laugh at the union if they called for a strike. We have a good job and we aren't about to risk it like that. I know lots of controllers who share this sentiment.