FCT Union (NATCA) Question

Ramptime Newcomer Florida

I work for RVA. Our entire tower team joined NATCA shortly after we opened to get more money. We are all retired military and have no need for any of RVA's benefits package and joining the union allowed us to receive our full benefits package money (3.35 per hour) vice it going into a pool and receiving a lesser payout (usually around 1.90 per hour) after companywide benefits are paid. So here is the dilemma: We are still getting paid at the CBA rate in place which is just less than $2 per hour than the current DOT rate for our area. RVA is now using individual banks for the benefits package and you receive reimbursement of the monies individually for what you don't use..the reason we joined the union to start with. RVA gave it's non-union employees back pay for the difference of what the DOT rate went to and what they were receiving...a healthy amount. We were union and we did not receive any back pay and continue to receive the CBA hourly rate which is again about $2 less per hour then our non-union counter parts. In Summary, the reason we joined the union to start with has been resolved, we are making about $2 less per hour than our nonunion counterparts. Until the union gets through the new CBA we make about $350 less per month than the non-union towers. Add $55 a month union dues and we are losing (it costs me) $400 per month by being part of NATCA. I figure that over the last 6 months I've lost about $1200 thus far by being in the union. Will NATCA re-coup my lost monies in the new CBA? Will there be a discernable advantage to being part of the union pay-wise?

irishcarbomb Moderator Houston, TX

i'm going to move this to the ask natca section, you'll probably get a better answer over there.

Doug Church Director of Communications Washington, D.C.

"Ramptime,"

The parties are still at the contract negotiating table. There are no guarantees as to how these matters turn out. But your NATCA union representatives are certainly working as hard for you as they possibly can.

-Doug

Ramptime Newcomer Florida

"-Doug,"

Thank you for your answer. I suppose that at a cost $400 per month my level of expectation for answers that are unambiguous is heightened. Your answer while well intended is less than informative and uninspiring. I all so understand that NATCA has a vested interest in my interest. In saying that I know that "are certainly working as hard for me as they possibly can", after all that is what we pay them for. My hope was to solicit a conversation that would be productive and informative with other FCT personnel and with NATCA as they may be unaware of our (certain FCTs) situation. Bottom Line...$350 -$400 a month is a lot of money and is a serious matter for working controllers and their future NATCA involvement.

Doug Church Director of Communications Washington, D.C.

Ramptime,

Please e-mail me at dchurch@natcadc.org and include your phone number. I'll try and connect you with someone that might be able to give you more info.

-Doug

emears Newcomer

Ramptime,

I am the person Doug was going to try to put you in touch with. I am on the current contract negotiations team and there are many things that simply cannot be put onto an open forum. During negotiations there is a gag order on both sides where we cannot discuss what is being proposed at the table without committting an unfair labor practice which is a violation of law.

Several weeks ago we put out a question on the Facrep listserve asking for any towers who are paid below the DOL wage determination. (not DOT) We received very few responses and none were as far below as you describe. All I can tell you is the issue is already being discussed at the table and our intent is to fix any pay disparities before these negotiations conclude.

I would be interested in getting some more information from you. Please email me at emears@austin.rr.com. I'd like to know what tower you are at, when you became a NATCA tower, who is your facrep, what is your area's DOL wage determination and your current hourly pay, and I may think of a few other things that would be helpful.

Doug gave you the best answer he could from the best source he had available. He was not trying to avoid the question. And by the way, both controllers on the contract team and all facreps do this on our own time. We do not get paid although we usually can get reimbursed for our out of pocket expenses if we can prove them. I've been doing this for 23 years and I can assure you none of us have ever made a dime from being a union rep.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Fraternally,

Ed Mears
Facrep, NATCA-GTU
Alternate Regional VP, Contract Towers
NATCA-SW Region

also: regular updates of anything that can be posted as well as many other issues are regularly discussed on the NATCA Facrep listserve. If you are the Facrep you are already on it. If you are not, I suggest you get your Facrep on it and get regular reports from him. Also the members section of NATCA.net has a forum where all sorts of answers (right or wrong) can be had for the asking. It's entertaining, in any case.

Ramptime Newcomer Florida

Ed,
Thank you for your answer, I will be in touch and my FACREP has emailed you or Doug with info. I will email you also. Thank you for your service and your dedication.
Respectfully,
TA