FCT controller Sick Leave Policy - A little perspective

Patrick_Bateman Junior Member Manhattan

Nobody here is pinning blame on the ATM's whatsoever. I'm saying its entirely Serco's fault for taking away everyone's sick time then with the same hand giving their managers a pay raise. If cutting the sick time was because they needed to bring the budget down (as they claim), then why would they go and dish the money out immediately somewhere else? Its mainly because they don't care about the employees and they know they can get away with it. Also the suggestion to "Get over it" really doesn't help people who work sick, so you may want to come up with a more effective solution.

Delta5 Rookie

Patrick, First the increase the ATM's received still was alot less than what it would have cost to pay for sick time for everyone. The other two Contract companies never did offer sick days. But Patco isn't screaming about them are they?

Second, Each contract changes. The FAA now requires alot more paperwork and oversight than before. So the ATM's have even more to do.
No one's stopping you from applying for a ATM job.

Third you state that Patco isn't asking for the same benefits as the FAA Controllers. Really! Go back and look at some of the Patco posts here.
They think everything should be the same.

ATChoney Rookie Outside the beltway but still inside the sanctum.

First, I want to clarify I'm certainly not part of Patco now, never have been a member and at this point in my life am unlikely to ever be a member and I'm certainly NOT saying FCT contractors should necessarily have the same pay and all the same benefits as FAA controllers. I am saying that FCT controllers do the SAME job as FAA controllers and have the SAME responsibility for public safety as FAA controllers and that employer provided sick leave IS a safety issue and that I am in favor of Patco representation for those FCT controllers who desire it if that's what it takes to encourage contract companies to do the RIGHT — and responsible — thing, which, among some other things I think need to happen, includes providing some paid sick leave to FCT controllers. However, I don't think that responsibility begins and ends with Serco — I think it is the responsibility of ALL the contract companies, as well as the FAA and the FCT controllers, to work this out favorably for the safety of the flying public and the working controllers.

Second, I have no beef with, and generally find no fault with, the ATMs working at the facilities — in fact, they have my empathy as being a "middle" manager is often a very difficult job. Being caught between the needs and concerns of the controllers, and the dictates of contract companies who come and go depending on the current contract bids, often lack communication skills, do sometimes appear to lack respect for their employees, and are usually looking to save pennies everywhere, while the ATMs must also be responsible for FAA regulations at their facility, is potentially highly stressful. Whether it's an extra $1.50 per hour or an additional 10%, I know MANY highly experienced ATCs who certainly wouldn't willing take that on for that amount of "extra" money! I think the problem is with the attitude of the contract companies and the FAA. If contract companies are not offering (in some cases) and cutting (in other cases) employer provided sick leave while profits in the overall company are increasing, there is a real disconnect in the system that needs to be repaired. Either the contract companies need to reappraise their responsibilities to the public and to their employees and/or the FAA needs to reconsider the amount of money they are providing the contract companies for their "services".

Third, I am well aware, and accepting of the fact, that FCT controller employment conditions ARE different in many ways from FAA controller employment conditions. FCT controllers accept the lower pay, fewer benefits and lack of job security for a variety of reasons. Many retired FAA who want to stay in the game and still have a lot to offer the public may choose the FCT program as one way to continue in a field they know and love. Some controllers with minimal experience and few qualifications may choose the FCT as one of the few options to "break in" while increasing their skills and experience in hopes of moving on to the FAA. Controllers of various skill levels and qualification who get caught in the age gap and may be too old to consider the FAA also see the FCT program as one of their few options for a job in ATC. All of these are valid reasons for wanting to work in the FCT program, but NONE of them excuse poor management practices by contract companies or disrespectful treatment of FCT controllers. Neither the FAA nor the contract companies owe any controller a job — but neither the tax paying public nor the FCT controllers owe the contract companies a profit. Despite the fact that the FCT program owes it's existence as much to backroom / boardroom deals in DC as to the the FAA's concerns to save tax payer money while keeping more TWRs open, the FCT program MUST meet public expectations effectively, efficiently and fairly or the entire program ceases to have a valid reason to exist. Given these realities, I would suggest that those controllers for whom the FCT program is a good option might be better valued by the contract management companies — and hopefully visa versa once the problems are ironed out— since it seems not only an ideal fit to me, but a veritable requirement for them to work as partners in the FCT program!

It seems to me there is currently both a need and an opportunity to make some "fixes" in the system now and I hate to see that opportunity wasted. I understand there are several issues of concern to FCT controllers and Patco, but the issue of employer provided sick leave benefits in the interests of safety in the aviation industry seems so clear to me as to be a "no brainer".

upurs81 Rookie

I find it ironic that Serco no longer offers any type of sick leave to their employees.
A company that for years, told their employees that they provided sick leave so that no one would ever have to worry about coming to work ill. That the company sick leave policy, not only benefited the controller and their crew, but safeguarded the flying public.

Now, after building on a foundation of lies concerning these policies, the company that was so ever concerned about the employee and the flying public, evidently no longer wishes to participate. They have evidently been called to a higher authority, greed.

And for those of you who would like to compare high density FAA facilities to low operational VFR towers, please feel free to compare the following:
I might work from 4-8 hours by myself, all positions combined, with a posibility of a 80 plus hour count. To say the least, no breaks.
When at a high density facility in the FAA, I was pretty much guaranteed a break after working no more then 2 hours on only one position.
What's the difference??? PEOPLE, STAFFING, CREW! Can you all understand that?

atcguruaf Rico Suave AZ

I worked both, so I feel that I CAN accurately compare the two. I know what you're saying, especially when you factor in operations PER controller.

ZeRaW Newcomer

Take a look at Gateway, AZ (FCT) with triple parallels VS. San Diego (FAA) with a single runway.

Don't think for a second that any controllers is at a worthless facility! All it takes is one crash with a loss of life to realize the importance of each facility.

One of the benefits the FCT employees have over the federal employees is the age limitation does not apply to FCT workers. FAA kicks you out at 56.

upurs81 Rookie

The fact that you can work pass the age of 56 has been a good thing for me. However, there are many who are in their late 60's and higher, who should no longer be working traffic.

The hard realization that some people are well beyond their ability to function as controllers, makes no difference to the FCT companies. As long as you can pass the joke of a second class flight physical, you are good to go.

Even though the companies like Serco have evaluation programs in place, they look the other way when they know someone no longer cuts the mustard. It is simply a matter of having a warm body around to count as a member of the crew.

upurs81 Rookie

Oh.....I forgot!

This thread was originally about the FCT controller sick leave policy.

Everyone must know, especially Serco, that old people never get sick.

Serco's new and improved sick leave policy: Hire no one under the age of sixty!

crackhead Newcomer

Upurs81,

If you're routinely working 4-8 hours by yourself, your manager is not doing something right, it's probably in violation of the contract, and you should take it up the chain....

polo708 Epic Member tower

You clearly have never worked FCT... a majority of early and late hours are solo at a majority of the FCTs.

And there is no "contract"