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Federation of Physicians & Dentists

Alliance of Healthcare and Professional Employees

 Time goes by fast when you’re having fun – huh?  In the very near future the FAA and other governmental agency’s will be promulgating the next round of contract tower RFP’s.  Already, the current contractors are scrambling to ensure that they have a seat at the table; and, with the latest rumors of Lockheed-Martin wanting to fill all the dining room chairs, we all must wonder what the final outcome will be.

 The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) requires, in the private sector, that a successor employer must recognize an exclusive representative, if when it assumes (takes over) another employer’s business and retains the majority of the predecessors employees, than it must recognize the representative and bargain accordingly.  Unfortunately, often times that is not what the successor employer will do, and will do its best to circumvent the law.

 At least with the Service Contract Act (SCA) your economic benefits are protected for at least one (1) year.  That time provides PATCO/AFSCME the opportunity to challenge, and in all probability prevail, if any company attempts to reduce or unilaterally change any of your economic benefits.  Can such challenges cost money?  Absolutely.  If, in fact, such a challenge would have to be met, it would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more.  That is why we are part of AFSCME and its 1.4 million members.

 Your organization is already preparing for the potential of such a challenge.  We have entered into agreement(s) with other organizations and employers through Memorandum of Understandings to collectively, where we initially, as an individual organization, requested reconsideration of the contract controllers wage determination.  This effort will commence in the very near future, and, I may add that this effort will be done with or without others timely support. 

 For our contract controllers we have recently concluded tentative agreement(s) with two (2) contractors, which have enhanced any previous agreement(s).  The Agreement(s) are going out to ratification as we go to print.  Are these Agreement(s) everything we want? No.  Are they an improvement? Yes.  That is what negotiations are all about.  Will some complain?  Yes.  And without question some others will lay claim to an enhanced agreement which it did not achieve. Details of the completed tentative agreement will be available to our members in the near future. Additionally, we have begun informal discussions which will lead to formal discussions with a third contractor.

 Being a member of PATCO/AFSCME–AFL-CIO provides you with much more than collective bargaining and appeal rights. It provides you with numerous programs including, but not limited to, free $3000 AD&D and a host of discount programs, which if utilized would save you more than twice the amount of your professional dues.  To some this may mean nothing, to others and their loved ones it means a day to day savings that enhances everyone’s day-to-day life.  Think about the fact that as part of PATCO/AFSCME you not only have long term economic support, your organization has the long term economic ability to fight back in your behalf.  Look most recently as the independent machinists union lost elections based on its lack of ability to pay the economic freight to fight back.  Folks, that is what it’s all about.  Why do you think the original PATCO affiliated with the Maritime Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA)?  Whether we liked it or not, it cost money to fight.  Think about it and understand that economics and not “bull shit” is often times reality.

Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization

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