FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Doug Church

May 8, 2006

CONTROLLERS TO TRAVELERS: SUPPORT THE ONES WHO GUIDE YOU HOME

WASHINGTON – Hundreds of air traffic controllers nationwide, in a campaign that continues today, are taking their message of fairness in collective bargaining with the Federal Aviation Administration directly to the people who stand to feel the impact of a forced contract upon controllers the most – the American traveling public.

Controllers will be distributing a leaflet to travelers at dozens of airports – including New York LaGuardia and Washington National today – asking them to call 1-877-FAIR FAA and urge their member of Congress to join a growing number of lawmakers that have either supported bills to stop the FAA from unilaterally imposing a contract on controllers after June 5 or have asked FAA Administrator Marion Blakey to resume contract negotiations with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.

House legislation (H.R. 4755), introduced by Rep. Sue Kelly, R-N.Y., and Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Ill., that would require binding arbitration for contract impasses between the FAA and its employees, now has 232 co-sponsors, including 59 Republicans. Nearly two-fifths of the Senate supports a companion bill on this issue.

Should Congress not act by June 5 and the FAA subsequently imposes its contract offer on controllers, it will mean a pay cut. By next year, that cut could compel one in four controllers – nearly 4,000 total – to retire upon reaching their eligibility date rather than continue to perform their critical jobs, exacerbating an already critical staffing shortage and likely leading to serious flight delays.

Controllers take their responsibility to the flying public very seriously and we feel it’s vitally important that travelers are informed about the possible ramifications of this contract situation,” NATCA President John Carr said. “The FAA has a big staffing problem on its hands already; it’s more than 1,000 controllers short nationally from 2003 workforce totals. This new round of retirements would create safety and delay problems.”

Added Carr: “We want travelers to know that we are a dedicated, highly-skilled group of professionals that always puts their safety first. The public has the ability now to protect the future levels of safety and efficiency of the system by supporting us and conveying that support to their representatives in Congress.”

At least they are showing a united front. Us pilots are busy tripping over each other to f*ck the next pilot. Senior guys are screwing junior guys, one airline pilot group is screwing the other, etc. etc. One national union with uniform work rules and pay per equipment is the only viable option if we want to survive as a profession, if not, then the race to the bottom will continue.

Xtwapilot

Allied Pilots Association Supports the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (
 

Allied Pilots Association Supports the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA); Pilots Urge the FAA to Rejoin Contract Talks With NATCA and to Reach a Voluntary Agreement Versus a Contract Imposed by Congress

Business Wire
05/10/06, 1:18p
(Copyright © 2006, Business Wire)

FORT WORTH, Texas, May 10, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Allied Pilots Association (APA), collective bargaining agent for the 13,000 pilots of American Airlines (NYSE:AMR), issued the following statement today in support of the 14,000 air traffic controllers of NATCA:

"APA is grateful for the work of America's air traffic controllers, whose expertise, professionalism and dedication have provided the safest air traffic control system in the world. We support NATCA's efforts to obtain a fair and equitable contract. We believe a voluntary resolution is always better than one settled by force, and we urge the Federal Aviation Administration to accept NATCA's offer to return to the bargaining table. A congressionally imposed contract would further strain labor relations and impede efforts to attract and retain the best people to run our air traffic control system."

That is the complete text of APA's statement. NATCA and the FAA face a June 5 deadline for reaching a consensual agreement. After June 5, Congress can impose new contractual terms on the controllers.

Founded in 1963, APA is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. There are currently 2,852 American Airlines pilots on furlough. The furloughs began shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Also, several hundred American Airlines pilots are on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union's Web site address is www.alliedpilots.org. American Airlines is the nation's largest passenger carrier.

SOURCE: Allied Pilots Association

APA

Captain Denis Breslin, 817-302-2350 / 619-980-8941

or

Gregg Overman, 817-302-2250 / 817-312-3901