Mediation on faa-natca contract dispute begins

Raydon Happy Camper OKC

Mediation On FAA - NATCA Contract Dispute Begins

WASHINGTON – Mediation aimed at ending an ongoing contract dispute between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) began yesterday.


Both parties signed a process agreement to move the negotiations forward as planned. The agreement provides for extensive mediation sessions and for binding resolution of any unresolved issues, guaranteeing a new collective bargaining agreement between the parties.


“One of my highest priorities, since coming to DOT, has been to resolve this issue so that we can move forward to make our commercial aviation system even better than it already is,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a recent announcement that Jane Garvey, former FAA Administrator, would lead the mediation team.


Garvey will lead the mediation as part of a three-member panel that will also include Mediators Richard Bloch and George Cohen, who have extensive experience in mediating high profile disputes.


It is expected that the expedited mediation process will continue through early June. At the request of the mediators, and as is customary with all mediation processes, the details will remain confidential until the process reaches its conclusion, although the mediators will release updates to the parties during the process.

YOOSTABEEWONUHVYA Newcomer

Great news knowing that a new contract is just days away! If higher pay for new controllers is negotiated, there are many qualified young men and women waiting in the wings to gobble up the job openings that exist.

If all you're interested in is taking care of your senior controllers...and screw the newbies...the staffing shortages will continue...and the mass exodus will continue.

I know for a FACT that NATCA will ensure that ALL controllers will be treated fair and equal. Isn't that right NATCA BOD?

polo708 Epic Member tower

great screen name, haha...

I have tons of controller friends who are just waiting for this to happen before applying. If it does I see a lot of prior-experience applicants flooding the system. Would be good for the manning problem IMO.

MikeATC Retired FAA, NATCA Member Nashville TN

You guys shouldn't forget that even after the ink has dried doesn't mean that the FAA will abide by the agreement.

VBeachR32 Junior Member

huh??? Thats the point of the mediation, they dont have the ability to arbitrarilly decide what policy to follow or not

Uptowner Rookie Minneapolis

Yeah, the point of "binding mediation" is that both sides have agreed, and probably signed legal documents, stating that they will accept whatever the mediators decide. This doesn't hurt NATCA at all because it sounds like things can only get better.

brownchickenbrowncow Newcomer

This may be true, but to honest, we won't know for sure until the information becomes public. If the new contract does little to keep a mass exodus of controllers running to retirement (Im pretty sure many are waiting around hoping something good happens, if not, they'll be the first ones out the door) then the binding mediation will be considered a failure.

My guess is the contract won't do much to keep veterans around, probably satisfy many new hires, but staffing will still be brutal at many busy facilities. Just speculation though.

Tommy10 Senior Member Rockledge, FL

So when should we hear something about this news?

polo708 Epic Member tower

haha... did you even read the first post?

rogersjf Trusted Contributor New Jersey

Don't expect any pay increases thats my take on everything it would be political suicide to increase pay and benefits in this economy. I can see it be gradually increased over like 4 years till after the next election. However one of my teachers said right now they are talking about work attire..