Welcome to  NATCA EWP- Why Join NATCA

Why Jon NATCA? One person's Story

I am often asked when talking to fellow engineers about joining NATCA "What's the union going to do for me?"  with that in mind, I'll tell you why I belong to NATCA

Around the FAA, engineers were having their engineering titles removed and having their positions converted to technician positions.  NATCA Stopped the conversion process and saved my position as an engineering position.  This comforts me in knowing that If I leave the agency, I won't have employers asking why I have been working as a technician for the last number of years.  But that is not why I joined NATCA>

NATCA is able to do many things for me. My brother and sister engineers nationally look out for the interests of FAA engineers as well as in my profession.  They lobby members of Congress on my behalf.  They address issues with headquarters management that affect my job and my future.  But that's not why I joined NATCA.

As dedicated group of NATCA legal professionals and NATCA engineers represented my interests as they negotiated a contract for me.  They addressed pay; performance and working conditions that made my job better now than it was before the contract was signed. But that is not why I joined NATCA.

My local representative present issues to local management to improve my work place and the work processes that I use.  They represent me when I am faced with changes to my job or attacks against my person by management.  But that is not why I joined NATCA.

I joined NATCA to make a difference in my profession and workplace.  I want to be part of the solution.  I want to add my experience and talents to making this FAA a better place to work for engineers.  I am committed to making the agency recognize and appreciate FAA engineers for their contributions toward improving the NAS.

I joined NATCA to give.   Your representatives contribute their spare time, earned leave, and extra efforts to protect and promote engineers. They travel and meet on their weekends and time off to conduct business and protect and promote engineers.  They travel and meet on their weekend and time to conduct business and steer the organization in the right directions.  They get calls at all hours and respond on short noticed to represent your rights and positions when the need arises. They are defending you against management.  They are protecting YOU when your colleagues are being disciplined for real or fabricated indiscretions.  They work with other engineers and controllers to share the big picture of the FAA with elected officials and enlist their support in making things better for us an for the flying public.

I contribute 1.5% of my base salary every paycheck to help my national organization operate.  A portion of those funds (10%) supports my local organization.  I have a family, support local charities, and have bills like everyone else; but I think this is important.  My career is important to me.  I pay the amount to make sure the union represents what should be represented and make sure my opinion makes a difference.

Many unions appear to only look to fight with management and constantly run in opposition to them.  Others appear to only protect the week and are only concerned about pay and benefits.  NATCA has demonstrated a concern for protecting and developing the profession of engineering at the FAA.  NATCA also has worked in partnership with management for everyone's' mutual benefit on many different issues. By paying my dues and participating, I can help make sure this professional union representing the engineers for what is right no just fighting against change.  For the ability to ensure my career is a happy one, I think 1.5% of my base salary is a very small amount  NATCA already has given me more that that in my base pay rate without even considering any of the other pay benefits.

Contract Benefits in Jeopardy

Employer may not require an employee to work overtime hours for compensatory time; however, the employee may elect to convert overtime to compensatory time.

Employee cannot be required to work overtime hours for credit hours or compensatory time, except for travel time while in travel status.

Any travel time that must be taken on the employee's own time will be compensated with an equal amount of credit hours.

Employees can take LWOP without first exhausting all accrued annual leave.

Doctor's note is not necessary for any absence of 4 days or less.

Allows for all employees to telecommute in accordance with the FAA telecommuting Handbook

If after seven days suitable lodging cannot be found at the reduced rate of 60% , actual lodging rate shall be authorized for the travel.

Provided for the establishment of a three year learning plan for all bargaining unit employees in order that employees may keep apprised of the latest developments in their field of expertise.

Provide for true time and a half pay when working overtime; guaranteed two hours of overtime work when kept late or asked to report early; guaranteed eight hours of overtime when asked to work on regularly scheduled day off.

Re9institutes our right to hazardous day pay in accordance with 5 CFR.  FAA Reform previously eliminated this right.

During the life of the Agreement, there shall be no fewer than 1,104 NATCA AF engineers and architects bargaining unit