Screw this- let’s talk strike
Posted by VectorMonkey on August 3rd, 2007
So Paul gave his “let’s all just get along” speech on Wednesday. Here’s mine, on the anniversary of the PATCO strike.
Screw them. Let’s talk strike.
I know all the arguments against it. It crushed PATCO. Lost public sympathy. Pilots union didn’t back them up. Air Force guys came in and made it work. Illegal.
Okay, maybe we shouldn’t strike. No sickouts, no “job actions”.
But guess what? There’s a virtual job action going on anyway, and there isn’t a damn thing the FAA can do about it.
Controllers are “striking” in the simple way that is left to them, kind of like the baseball umpires tried a few years ago. You remember- the umpires couldn’t go on strike, so they all “resigned” at the same time, convinced that Major League baseball couldn’t or wouldn’t replace them all with AAA umpires. Of course, they were massively wrong; MLB simply brought in the minor leaguers and kept right on playing the games.
The big difference is that the controllers are entitled to retire in massive numbers, and there aren’t a bunch of backup controllers in the minor leagues waiting to replace them. So now that the controllers are simply walking out the door, there’s nothing the FAA can do other than scramble to hire trainees- 50% of whom are washing out and the other 50% of whom won’t be fully trained for three years, and who aren’t really great as controllers for another couple of years after that.
The FAA is almost encouraging controllers to stage something that looks like a job action, too. In facility after facility there are supervisors and managers who are taking the agency’s “get tough” policy very seriously… and they are hammering controllers who have operational errors. Punitive “retraining”, CBI lessons, decertification, etc.
So what’s happening now? Controllers are using more spacing between airplanes. Anyone wonder why we keep setting new records for numbers of delays? The controller workforce is short staffed, and the ones who are there are working in an environment of fear and doubt created by management, so they’re playing it safe and using more separation whenever they can.
Outside of the FAA, more people are questioning the need for NATCA. This guy asked why NATCA even exists back in February. From his blog:
I spoke last week to a NATCA rep at a major U.S. airport and I asked point blank, “How do you plan to keep NATCA from simply evaporating and becoming totally redundant in the face of the FAA’s current tactics?” He had no answer either and said the guys at NATCA in DC were working on it.
“Hello!” Guys, the war is almost over and you’re forces are scattered all over the place.
If NATCA doesn’t get its tail moving pretty quick to show some teeth to the American public other than TV spots that talk to the importance of air traffic controllers, as well as figure out a better set of dance steps with FAA, they’ll be talking about this controller’s union in a similar vein to PATCO.
You know what he’s saying? He’s saying we should start staging some job actions. Not that we should strike, but that we need to do SOMETHING. And he’s got a point- maybe the controllers would get more respect if they actually had a sickout, or a one-day wildcat strike, or started a national effort to “work to rule” and put extra spacing between planes.
But here’s the thing. We are doing something. We’re quitting.
It’s not a coordinated effort; instead of being a top-down, leadership-driven effort where a few NATCA honchos declare the strategy, it’s a democratic, upwardly-driven movement. It’s not one or two people making the final call; it’s many individuals doing so for themselves.
Trainees are quitting, CPCs are quitting, and lots of people are retiring. The workforce is using more separation at their supervisor’s demands, delays are zooming upwards, and just like that, it’s almost as though we’re on strike anyway.
Let’s talk strike. Should we do something overt? Or can we simply continue to let things go as they have been? Time for a sickout this summer, or wait to see if Congress puts a fix in place? Or wait to see if Bush really does veto any Congressional fix?
Comments are open here. If you want to say “let’s strike” then you should probably not put in your real name if you still work for the federal government.
August 3rd, 2007 at 4:56 am
The resignations, retirements, and washouts are putting a damper on the agencys’ scheme. Todays’ Main Bang outlines the agencys’ latest three card monte trick being utilized to further deceive members of Congress. The staffing crises is real and only going to get progressively worse. Apparently, nobody gives a shit.
August 3rd, 2007 at 5:04 am
Controllers are not the only people protesting in this manner. I was a Systems Specialist, and I, along with several others I know, retired earlier than I really wanted to because of the abusive nature of the FAA Management.
Now, I don’t miss the FAA at all. Only good friends, and the people who really support the flying public.
August 3rd, 2007 at 6:21 am
Before going Dark, I was one of the many that helped create the Nations record number of delays. I enjoyed watching the traffic back up on our taxiways, and holding patterns. When things got real bad we would all laugh our collective asses off, and when I would look around the room I would actually see,….get this folks,…..HAPPY FACES ! No one is happy anymore, but when the system go’s bad or when equipment fails I then see smiling faces.
Before Marion screwed us, I would fight to help out to prevent delays ! I would do anything I could to shame the pathetic TMU idiots from causing their delays. Now,…..I’m so happy these idiots are in their positions. : ) I have a friend of mine that works at a very busy ATC11 tower, and he said that they will hold an aircraft and tell the pilots that they are waiting for a release, when in reality he said they didn’t call yet. They pick out certain airlines to mess with because of the open support that those airlines CEO’s have given Marion.
So yes most folks are doing their part, and the ones that are not need to get on board. Keep it up folks !
I vote a sick out if congress doesn’t fix this mess, or if the village idiot Bush veto’s the fix. REMEMBER,….go to urgent care, the emergency room, or whatever it takes late at night and get yourself a Doctor’s note for the great SICKOUT !! I can’t wait to take the call. THEY CANNOT MAKE YOU COME IN WITH A DOCTORS NOTE !!
August 3rd, 2007 at 6:26 am
I say a wildcat strike is in order followed by a sick out then everyone work by the book. Then maybe the maid’s head will burst and the problem will be solved! Maybe she will take the likes of all the other Nazi SS with her as well and we will be back to status quo?
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:27 am
You’re playing right into their hands. The Johnson/Day/Blakey/”Me” crowd are cackling in delight. You have no clue how gleefully they’ll pounce upon a decertification request.
August 3rd, 2007 at 10:12 am
I will do my part the Democratic way mentioned by Vector Monkey. When my time comes for eligibility, I will depart the fix at the ripe young age of 47.
Did I want to retire then? Did I plan to retire then? Would I retire then if not for the acts of the Agency?
answer:
HELL NO!
In the mean time, I will diligently hold aircraft short of the runway due to the lack of staffing to provide TIPH (taxi into position and hold) procedures.In other words, I will refuse to disobey a direct order like some of my brother and sisters do, just to move traffic.
Marion’s NEXGEN will make one of her contractor cronies multi billions in order to allow more aircraft in the air at the same time. The big “tilted head” question is; where will they come from to fill the sky and where will you put them once they get to their destination if the sky is full?
In my opinion the FAA is creating and staging the “job action” with FAA Reauthorization request for user fees, the NEXGEN hype, bowing to the “customers” (ATA) at the expense of system efficeincy, failed privatization attempts (Flight Service) and a multitude of other misguided initiatives. This all due to corruption, bribery, ignorance, vengance, and just plain ineptness.
August 3rd, 2007 at 10:24 am
I think a concerted retiremtent effort at ATL or ORD would be nice. I can hear the airlines announcment ” We’re sorry. Atlanta tower is closed. 10 controllers retired this morning and the FAA’s CTI students aren’t quite up to speed. A store credit will be available for your canceled flight. Just don’t fly at the end of the month. Our pilots are out of time.”
August 3rd, 2007 at 10:37 am
Oxman: If you are scared, say you are scared.
One can speculate forever on what “they” would do and you would still have “no clue”. Nor do you. We all know what they have done; and I think everyone agrees that, not only, is the system about to crumble, but we are going to be responsible for putting it back together. The onus is ours. Let’s stop hiding behind all of these “what if’s?”. Let’s do something now. I’m in.
August 3rd, 2007 at 12:01 pm
All this hype about NEXGEN. Get real. We’ll all be dead before thats a reality. What a joke.
August 3rd, 2007 at 2:02 pm
Strike?
That sounds like something for people who haven’t given up on working for the FAA.
Probably not for me, then.
August 4th, 2007 at 2:44 am
You don’t even need to strike. Just tell the media it is being talked about and it will be front page news instead of the current coverage these issues receives (Lifestyle page 10).
NATCA needs to run tough ads that show actual numbers of Controllers retiring, training failure rates, traffic counts, short staffed shifts, etc. All I see NATCA doing is waiting for the Maid to retire and the reauthorization bill to be vetoed. How about some offense? It’s 4th and goal with seven seconds remaining!!!
August 4th, 2007 at 5:00 am
Lack of solidarity is what is sending this union to the bottom.
August 4th, 2007 at 6:09 am
I am dismayed by the tone of this thread. I get it; you guys aren’t happy but you don’t want to talk strike or sick outs, or work slow downs or job actions of any sort. All of those things can get you fired, Much better to retire if you are that unhappy.
But before you take step think about the ramifications. I don’t mean to the FAA but to you. Retiring before the age of 55 sounds sweet but the reality is you will most likely have to find another job. Ironically, for many of you that will be a job that pays less than you are currently earning. Moreover, the private sector is employment at will meaning that you can be dismissed without cause. This is a simple premise based on the notion that if an employee can quit at will then the employer should have the right to quit you at will. At least in a government job you have some measure of job security. You can’t strike but they can’t fire you without cause. You will not earn the leave that you earn in a government job and believe it or not you won’t have any more flexibility when it comes time to use that leave.
I think perhaps you evision bringing the system to its knees, forcing change and continuing with your jobs, vindicated at last. It won’t happen. That is what PATCO thought too. To begin with 90% of the workforce didn’t walk out. About 2/3rds did. With the remaining third, military controllers and sups the Agency kept the planes flying. The Agency had contingency plans just as they do today. Every Agency is required to have such plans. You would be lucky to get 2/3rds to walk out the door today. You won’t bring the Agency to its knees and the changes wrought may not be what you anticipated, almost assuredly will not be.
The contract has been in place almost a year now. If you guys were honest you would admit that the workrule changes have had little impact on you unless of course you are one of those individuals who simply cannot figure out how to dress. Staffing is a much bigger problem and that is not even addressed in the contract nor should it be as staffing is not negotiable. No doubt you will say that the salary provisions are exacerbating the staffing problems. To the extent that people decide to retire specifically because they are at the top of the pay band, you would be right. But even that is losing momentum. Work policies that are separate and apart from the contract are probably having more of an impact on you but those are things that change, often with a change in administration. Patience is the key.
Never disobey a direct order. That is insubordination and you can be removed for that for a first offense. Just do your jobs and let the union do your figting for you. Its what you pay all those dues for.
August 4th, 2007 at 6:31 am
ME Says:
“The contract has been in place almost a year now. If you guys were honest you would admit that the workrule changes have had little impact on you unless of course you are one of those individuals who simply cannot figure out how to dress.”
Hey Me, what about the people that cannot bring food past security, and then cannot take 5 friggin minutes to go get something to eat without using leave? (As an aside, supervisors are also on paid lunches but can still go out. How does that work?) Would you say the nontract rules have had an effect on them?
How about the trainees that were already hired and promised a certain pay level, only to have that changed on them mid stream? Would you say that the work rules have affected them?
What about the people who now cannot get vacation in the summer when their kids are out of school? Would you say that the work rules have affected them?
What about all of us who have to live in fear of vacations we have already paid for being cancelled at the last second because the FAA can’t figure out that there is a staffing crisis? Would you say the the work rules have an effect on us?
How about those of us who work our asses off every day knowing we will never get another raise, while we watch our do-nothing supes and managers get raises and bonuses on a regular basis and continue to collect CONTROLLER Incentive Pay? Would you say that the work rules have effect us?
I could go on but I won’t. You are so blind to what is going on that it is unbelievable. And statements like the one I quoted above show how completely ignorant and out of touch you really are.
How’s that for being honest?
PS. I couldn’t give a shit about the dress code.
Oh yeah, and it’s not a contract, no matter how many times the Administrator says it is.
August 4th, 2007 at 9:07 am
This is Tom Brantley with a message for Friday, August 03, 2007.
This update is to inform you that a decision was reached by the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) Administrative Law Judge who presided over the Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) case regarding PASS’s ratification of the tentative agreement with the FAA for our Technical Operations unit.
The FAA filed the ULP charge in March of 2006 after PASS informed the agency that we would actively oppose ratification of the tentative agreement. As you may recall, among the agency’s contract demands were the following:
– No guaranteed pay increases.
– OSI at the agency’s complete discretion based on the achievement of phony “performance goals.”
– No increase at all if you are at the top of one of the agency’s gerrymandered pay bands. You receive nothing–not even a lump-sum payment! This would mean pay cuts for more than two-thirds of the employees in the bargaining unit.
– No right to Alternate Work Schedule (AWS).
– Watch schedule no longer negotiated. Work schedule to be determined solely by management.
– No “prime vacation time” periods designated for employees to take at least three consecutive weeks off.
– “Douglas Factors,” which are meant to protect employees from abusive supervisors, would no longer be part of the contract. With discipline subject only to FAA policy, supervisors would be allowed to discipline employees as they see fit rather than being required to follow strict criteria to ensure that the penalty is proportionate to the alleged violation and is not unreasonable.
– No regional assistants.
– No local or regional bargaining.
In addition, the agency declared more than half of PASS’s proposals “non-negotiable” and would not provide information or counterproposals when requested. The agency even refused to agree to provisions with PASS that had already been agreed upon with NATCA controllers.
After seeing the agency’s proposal and experiencing their outrageous conduct at the bargaining table, PASS concluded that the agency had no intention of reaching an agreement designed to meet the needs of both parties. It became clear that the agency’s offer was the best that could be obtained under the circumstances. Therefore, PASS accepted the agency’s proposal in March of 2006. However, PASS also made it clear to the agency that we did so to give the members an opportunity to voice their opinion, an opportunity the agency has tried so hard to deny.
While PASS members voted overwhelmingly not to ratify the tentative agreement (more than 98% of voting members voted No), the FAA pursued its ULP case against PASS. Although the charge was initially dismissed by the FLRA’s Regional Director in July 2006, the FAA appealed to the FLRA’s General Counsel, who granted the appeal and issued a complaint against PASS. The hearing was held in March of 2007 at the FLRA’s Washington office.
In his decision dismissing all charges against PASS, the Judge stated, “I do not consider it a coincidence that in the bargaining environment of the case, where the FAA has interpreted and applied its unique bargaining statute to deprive the Panel of jurisdiction to resolve bargaining disputes, one of its unions has sought to resort to a form of force: not economic, but political force, through the vehicle of a vote of its members on the agency’s proposals. This may not have been the academic exercise of reasoned discussion that the FAA hoped for, but then neither was its threat to submit its final proposals to Congress and implement them without permitting resolution by the Panel. The FAA may be correct in its interpretation of title 49, but such an interpretation invited a response by the Union, and the Union’s response in this case appears to me to be entirely lawful.”
Now that this case has been resolved, we will be contacting the FAA to make arrangements to resume bargaining for a mutually acceptable agreement. In a rational world, the FAA would read this decision and agree that it was time to return to the bargaining table in earnest. When discussing the FAA, however, rational thought is rarely the deciding factor used by the agency to determine its actions. I expect that the FAA will reject our offer to return to the bargaining table and will appeal the Judge’s decision to the three FLRA members, hoping for another bite of this rotten apple.
While the FAA has a legal right to appeal the decision, it does not have a legal right to change the terms of the current agreement until such time as PASS members successfully ratify a new agreement. PASS is aware that there have been rumors that the agency is planning to implement the tentative agreement, which was voted down by PASS members, pending the outcome of its appeal. As of this time, these rumors appear to be unfounded, though it would not be a stretch of one’s imagination to think that the FAA might try such a disgraceful tactic, counting on members being so miserable and upset with their new working conditions that they would put pressure on PASS to give in to the agency’s demands. However, I can assure you that PASS will never give in to the agency’s one-sided demands to circumvent collective bargaining and simply change the terms of our agreement to whatever the agency decides it wants.
As we have repeatedly cautioned, until such time as PASS members successfully ratify a new collective bargaining agreement, the current agreement remains in effect. Any attempts by FAA management to change the terms of the agreement without ratification by PASS members will be dealt with as soon as PASS is made aware of the agency’s actions! Please notify your regional vice president or the PASS national office if you believe an improper change has been implemented where you work.
We will continue to inform you of changes as we learn of them
Fraternally,
Tom Brantley
PASS National President
August 4th, 2007 at 10:35 am
maybe there is justice in this world after all.
August 4th, 2007 at 11:33 am
Me says; “Retiring before the age of 55 sounds sweet but the reality is you will most likely have to find another job.”
This is the same tripe that Lavey put out last year to counter NATCA’s argument of a retirement exodus.
Fact of the matter is, when I’m eligible, if I were to stay working, I’d be taking a 39% pay cut (I’m FERS, and have to stay 25 years – and I’m almost there!). Why would I want to keep putting up with FAA management for only 61% of what I’m making now????
I’m taking my 39% retirement (plus Social Security offset) and getting outta here!
Love the job, hate my boss.
August 4th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Why didn’t NATCA take the same route as PASS?
August 4th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
When I retire, 6 years earlier than planned, it will be because of FAA management and their imposed work rules. The argument that I will need to get a new job is right. I will now at 50 instead of 56.
I will get a job that pays me to work DAYS and not nights. I will not work weekends or holidays unless I want too.
I will attend ALL of my daughter’s basketball games and soccer matches.
I will be paid $10/hr and I am okay with that.
I will no longer train anyone on LOCAL/GROUND on my 6th day in a row.
I will be sad when people die because of mismanagement.
Lavey, Ventrice and “ME” are wrong. My retirement will be worth it.
August 4th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Bravo Tom Brantley, From a controller, keep up the good work.
August 4th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
ME says:
“You can’t strike but they can’t fire you without cause.”
Funny, the Agency’s been doing that lately – firing controllers without any real cause – all in the name of a “culture change”…oh, except in the cases of management, that is. When the Agency has true cause to fire management, they don’t. (see the sections titled re: harassment – general, harassment – sexual, harassment – racial, harassment – union affiliation, incompetence – gross, endangering the flying public, oh, and stupidity – general, stupidity – massive).
“You would be lucky to get 2/3rds to walk out the door today.”
This is probably one of the few things you’ve ever said on this board that I actually agree with…unfortunately.
“You won’t bring the Agency to its knees and the changes wrought may not be what you anticipated, almost assuredly will not be.”
We don’t have to bring the Agency to its knees; they’re doing a fine job of that on their own – we’re just drawing everyone’s attention to it. Personally, I’d settle for some really good body blows. Yes, we’re suffering now, but ultimately it’s the flying public who will pay the price for the Agency’s intentional mismanagement of the NAS. We’re just trying to keep it from getting truly bloody.
“If you guys were honest you would admit that the workrule changes have had little impact on you unless of course you are one of those individuals who simply cannot figure out how to dress.”
Not ME addressed this pretty well previously. I’ll be succinct and say “what a crock.”
“Staffing is a much bigger problem and that is not even addressed in the contract nor should it be as staffing is not negotiable.”
Again, not a contract, but, hey, since the FAA decided staffing is not negotiable, they’ve been doing a wonderful job keeping the facilities staffed, don’t you think? I’ve worked more OT since 9/3/2006 than I worked in the 15 years prior…and worked short-staffed, to the point of dangerous, all because management threw out the negotiated numbers for staffing – overall, facility, and shift assignments. I’m not impressed at all with the current management “team” (at any level) and their decision-making processes.
“Never disobey a direct order. That is insubordination and you can be removed for that for a first offense.”
This must be how the Agency is keeping those like FAAManager in line. Threaten them with the firing for insubordination line.
“But before you take step think about the ramifications. I don’t mean to the FAA but to you. Retiring before the age of 55 sounds sweet but the reality is you will most likely have to find another job. Ironically, for many of you that will be a job that pays less than you are currently earning.”
Hmmm, did it ever occur to you that knowing we can retire earlier, some of us might’ve planned for it? Or that a number of us already have our own part-time businesses in place to offset any difference – you know, where we can pick and choose when we work? Or that to receive our ATC retirement and maybe work a couple days a week to supplement it for a few years is worth it to us rather than work for the Agency under the imposed work rules and to have a front row seat to the NAS’s deterioration? Hell, pre-planning is one of the critical tools we use every day in our professional lives – do you honestly think that we don’t apply that to our personal lives as well?
“I am dismayed by the tone of this thread. I get it; you guys aren’t happy but you don’t want to talk strike or sick outs, or work slow downs or job actions of any sort. All of those things can get you fired, Much better to retire if you are that unhappy….Just do your jobs and let the union do your figting for you. Its what you pay all those dues for.”
Hmmm, I’m unsure it that’s genuine concern for us, or concern for how the hell you’ll replace that many bodies, regardless of any Agency contingency plan.
I know where I’d place that bet.
August 4th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
If you’re right, Me, then neither you nor FAA has anything to fret over.
Just relax, sit back and let it happen. I’m sure your contingency plans are so good that it doesn’t matter if you underestimate attrition by an average of 25% every year for the last three. I’m sure it won’t matter that your new CPCs are looking for work in DoD the second they qualify, if they decide to stay in ATC at all. I bet you’re hiring exactly as many as you need to hire, and that all of them check out before the bottom really drops out in 2009-2010.
I’m so sure of it, I won’t even need to see it for myself. I’ll be content to read about it here and elsewhere. Believe me, I’d love to help you guys paper over your mistakes and train the people you should have hired three years ago – especially when you’re paying 30% less than someone like you told me I’d make. But why stick around when your services just really aren’t needed? I guess I’d better look into server jobs down at Applebee’s, or maybe a truck driving academy, since I’m so lucky to have this job that anyone with a high school education can do.
August 4th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Me, don’t underestimate how much people want out of the FAA. By the time the top of the imposed pay bands catches up to me it will take around 15 years. Which means my hourly salary when i retire (if i went to 56) will be about what it is right now..15 years from now. People where i work are planning on bolting day 1. I am looking at leaving at 20 and going to another FERS covered agency to do my last 3 there.
When i see things like Phoenix, Denver, N90, MCI, new york 12 that were fired, FACREPS overly-pursued, etc. it infuriates me there is absolutey no accountability in this agency. It’s not all about the money.
And add the fact that spot leave probably won’t be available to me my last 8 years. If i could leave today and get a reduced retirement now i would be gone in a heartbeat.
August 4th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
The contingency plan that Me doesn’t remember worked like this after the strike in 1981: Restrict the daylights of General Aviation IFR traffic. The “plan” these days probably is the same. Just stop the GA traffic, let the Air Carriers trickle out there, and hope to God that some former staff specialist who hasn’t worked traffic in years or some military guy who has never worked a fixed wing aircraft doesn’t kill anyone.
August 5th, 2007 at 5:41 am
Folks, it’s relatively easy….
When SWA asks you for that direct, “Unable”.
When NWA says, “we’re a little late, can we get direct?”, “Unable”.
When COM says, “We know we blamed the controller for LEX, but can we get direct?”, “Unable”.
When FDX says, “We know you are running an unsafe and illegal procedure at our favorite airport, but it saves us money and makes you work harder….can we get direct?”, “Unable”.
When Air Transport Association members say, “We know we are screwing you to make our multi-million dollar bonus bosses richer, can we get direct?”….
Think about it….
Strangely enough, I find it much easier to give the GA and business jets direct as of late.
August 5th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
A sick out would work in select facilities. One time would not be enough though. It would take multiple times to have the effect you want to have. And as long as you have a doctors note to show them when you come to work then we really can’t do anything to you leagly?
August 5th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
I say everyone buy’s a pack of smokes, pretend to smoke for a couple of weeks, and then go to the doctor and get a prescription for that stop smoking medicine, and everybody at the same time go out for 3 weeks of sick leave.
I dont smoke, but I’m willing to get hooked. : )
August 6th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Me,
It is I who is dismayed by your posting. First about the ramifications on retiring before age 55. Sounds Sweet, you bet it does, see I will be doing what VectorMonkey says….I will be retiring. I will be 48 years old and will have given the federal government 30 years 1 month and 7 days of my life. I have the numbers and I don’t play into the FAA’s rhetoric of powerpoints and talking to’s from my ATM about how I won’t retire. The difference in money will be only a few hundered dollars difference but will be made up because now I don’t have the commute to make hence lower gas bill (and I drive a hybrid), no babysitter’s to pay, no extra food for the babysitter to buy, etc. I could have stayed for another 7 years but why? I’m still a good controller and my record reflects that. This job has already cost me in ways of health because of the working hours, not to mention the impact it has had on my vision. Yes my vision, I have had to have cataracts removed, these were not caused by my family background nor were they caused by injury. Unless you want to count the impact of sitting in front of a radar screen for 30 years. My doctor is convinced of it and has stated that it is the reason for it. I will no longer get another raise under the IWRs but if I retire I will get the yearly government raise, so far it has averaged more than 2% a year, I mention the 2% because if I stayed that is all I will get towards my retirement but if I retire I can get more so you do the math. Where is the incentive? Private employment? maybe I will do that, mainly because I still have something to give, just no longer to an uncaring employer called the FAA. I might not get as much vacation but NEWSFLASH the FAA is already starting to limit vacation and spot leave availability in the facilities so even though we get more vacation time it doesn’t matter when you can’t use it. Job security? Get real–only in your position. Remember the FAA is firing us lowly controllers for minor infractions and handing out discipline actions like it is candy on Halloween. Only in FAA management is job security a done deal. Remember the term? F*** up, move up. well it’s still there and alive and well within the FAA. That is one of the major reasons I have had enough. The lack of accountability of management within the FAA, lie, cheat, steal, break all the rules, have numerous EEO complaints against you and you still get the job security and raises and bonuses. Gotta love your job, don’t you. Running it like a business? Only in their dreams.
No I don’t evision bringing the FAA to it’s knees, the job existed before you and I and it will continue without you and I. But I do evision a FAA that is failing in it’s mission, they will continue to fly but I fear for the the last straw that is place on the camel’s back and cause it too break. Hopefully that straw will never fall but the system is strained and it could only be a matter of time before an overworked, overstressed controller breaks and misses something critical.
IT IS NOT A CONTRACT! THEY ARE IMPOSED WORK RULES! No impact? How about less leave usage (meaning being able to use what I have earned), How about the insanity of having another controller follow you into the bathroom to make sure that you really had an upset stomach? How about someone making you drop your pants to inspect stitching (hey denim is material and not the thread), how about them wanting to install speakers in bathrooms to ensure an immediate recall for their employees, how about mother may I-ing every little thing in your work environment? Can I go get my lunch my car 20 feet away? Can I go to the bathroom? Can I eat now? Can I be released at the end of my shift (yes that is in the white book–when was the last time you asked for permission to go home at your appointed time)? I will never see another pay raise again. They have taken other pay away from me (CIC, CIP–but yet the sups can keep this). I now have to answer 20 questions about the reason I am calling in sick—do you? They have endangered my life–let’s see black mold, poisioning, gassing, let’s not forget those pesky tornadoes also, leaky roofs over electrical equipment (working for the FAA can be quite shocking)–guess the FAA only believes in contingency plans when they choose too. Salary is having an impact also, you have people quitting because of the new bands and going back to other jobs because of the pay and yes you still have those that are sticking it out in hopes that it will change, but it is a sad day when a military veteran must use their GI benefits to survive the pay issues while in training.
I don’t believe in what Going Dark has said (mind you he has said that he is going into management also–why doesn’t that surprise me) I will continue to give everything to the flying public, I will continue to make sure that everyone arrives safely to the best of my ability. I treat every aircraft as if my own son is on board. I will not play games with this airliner or that one (the people on the plane had nothing to do with this). I do this because I am an Air Traffic Control Specialist. At least I am until Sept 2. Poetic isn’t it? I gave the FAA 1 year to get their heads on straight. They are just as much I am in charge, I’m the boss, I don’t care about you as they were ‘Sept 3 so color me gone.
And with no regrets walking out the door.
August 6th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Hey Me,
The FAA’s work rules DID impact me, along with all the other 80+ trainees I work with. I uprooted my wife and kids to move away from our famlies in search of a better career and better life. Now that I completed my training, have become a CPC, and have done everything I’ve ever been asked to do, the FAA decides to screw me and not pay me what they PUT IN WRITING WHEN I TOOK THIS JOB. Now my wife and I have to abandon our little boy in daycare every day and we still struggle to pay our bills in a meager house way outside of town. This isn’t what I moved here for, and this sure isn’t the job I first hired in to. I guess the FAA is getting what they want (hell, I don’t even know what they want). My wife and I will soon move back home.
So don’t waltz in here and claim we are overreacting, because the FAA has hurt and destroyed a lot of peoples lives who put their heart and soul into becoming an air traffic controller.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:20 am
towerflower is right.. However, if we keep fixing things, then things will not change. Also, doing the right thing can and will get you in trouble!! Saved the Supe from a deal and suffered greatly for it. Next time I’ll do the same thing, but I will hesitate and that my be the vital 2 seconds.