NATCA Dues

Radium Epic Member

I have a relative thats a RailRoad Engineer/Conductor, I think he makes like 60g's... anyway he pays 100/month, or 1200 a year...
While you make almost twice him and pay 1600 a year... So while ya we still pay a lot, at least we are not the worst off.

UNDgrad06 Senior Analyst Memphis, TN

Yeah, its like insurance... sucks to pay but it's there when you really need it. I am sure if I was into Union activities more then I would think it was maybe worth it but really I don't get all excitied about most of the crap they care about. I mean the FAA sucks but it sure beats working in some office for some douche bag boss you actually have to see everyday. I can avoid most managament around here and see them as little as I need to.

GeorgeFoxes Newcomer

I'm a CTI student graduating next December and am looking forward to beginning my career as a controller. I'll just put it out there and tell you that I'm an anti-union conservative. I don't plan on ever joining NATCA.

Just out of curiosity, in leiu of the recent controversy about sleeping on the job and watching movies on the job, is there a pretty big rift between management/supervisors and NATCA represented controllers?

Radium Epic Member

Yo g fox. Let me give you a huge, HUGE, tip.(this is from a conservative, union dislike-ing, liberal hating air traffic controller).

JOIN THE UNION.

At least at the start while you are in training. The moment you get CPC you can leave. That is the best possible choice for your career. I'd explain it more but I gotta run.

Radium Epic Member

Ok, I'm back.

As one of the guys who never worked under the imposed work rules, I never got to see management rape us relentlessly. So now we come in, join the union, and see other rookie controllers take advantage of the system.... it makes it annoying to pay dues so others can get dui's or claim bs stuff to get off the boards... while natca fights for them.
That being said... the old guys tell of a different era, filled with hostilities in he work place toward controllers. And they are annoyed at the rookies trying to take advantage as well... so that makes it easier to swallow.
But where the natca fight is great, is when you are a trainee on the brink of making it, or washing. They (and your natca old guy trainer) will fight.for you for that 20hr+ extension in training so u can get checked out.

That is why its nice to be in early... and if u don't need it... you can leave after a year in agency. People will be annoyed @ u, but em.

I'cr never used the union, and been annoyed at some things they do... but I'm in for the greater good (which just so happens to be keeping me off iwr's and making quality money).

GeorgeFoxes Newcomer

Radium...thanks for the insight, I'll be sure to keep that in mind, it's good to know that there are some controllers on the 'right' side of the fence, if you know what I mean. Being in acadamia and around all these retired controllers at school got me a little worried that ALL controllers are big union people. I appreciate it.

DOD_ATC Senior Member Chicago, IL

If you like that salary, CIP, OJTI pay, ATSAP, and many, many other benefits that are here because of the Union, then I suggest you stay in the Union. Yes, there will be times when you will not agree completely with your local or national, but believe me, one day YOU will need the Union and the Union will be there for you.

As far as those controllers on the 'right' side of the fence....during the IWR's, they were no where to be found. I sure wasn't seeing any controllers expressing their delight that our pay was either frozen or cut, or happy with the many ridiculous rules put forward against us.

Radium Epic Member

The hypocritical fiscal conservative.... save $, pay me and my industry.

UNDgrad06 Senior Analyst Memphis, TN

GeorgeFoxes,

I agree with the above. NATCA is nice during your training and they will help you out and it is nice to have someone who will actually be on your side when you have questions about the process and what to expect if you do have to wash out.

As I have said above, I don't really agree with a lot of the stuff that the union gets all excited about around my facility at least. They are nice to have on your side, but IMO I haven't seen any real benefit yet. However I am sure they have their hand in a lot of things that I don't know about, really because I don't pay attention to much regarding politics.

Union in the government is kinda weird because, as seen a few years ago the government can impose whatever work rules they want and there isn't much the union can do about it. You can't strike or you will get fired.

Rosstafari Daaaang. /X

At the very least, every new hire owes it to the union to join up for a while. Union dues are a small price to pay for the 30% pay raise NATCA secured for us a few months back. You'd be making thousands less if they hadn't stood up for the new contract.