Would you strike?
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PooseMaGoose
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Murky waters man.. anybody who speaks out needs to be careful about how their messaging can be interpreted. The USC covering this not only prohibits participation in a strike, but asserting the right to strike as well. I'd say it's a grey area left up to individual interpretation whether somebody's discussion of striking as "an option" could be interpreted as promoting or asserting the right to strike. Hell, even posting a poll gauging "the temperature of the room" could be perceived as encouraging or promoting a strike.
My two cents.
My two cents.
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Minus our oath as civil service employees, the economic impact would be felt at once. If every Z, Core 30, and standalone TRACON walked off tomorrow the administration would be forced to negotiate. This is not the 80's where you can just plug military in (they cannot even hit their recruiting goals and are passing people at A School or AIT solely for numbers in the field or ship), they are not trained to our standard, our way of working, or facility specific applications.
A strike, in your hypothetical scenario tomorrow, would cause not only the administration but the FAA/Air Carriers/Private Corporations/ and International Air Carriers to their knees. The whole North-East, not to mention Southern Florida, or even California, would be extremely devastating.
Now on to Union stuff, this would burn every "collaboration" bridge that NATCA has built over the last 20 years. This is the equivalent to crossing the Rubicon, or a march on Moscow, there is no turning back. NATCA would forever be changed and any mention of collaboration or tolerance of it would die with a strike. On a personal note, the FAA made its bed and it should be forced to reckon with the lack of planning from the previous decades where nothing was done.
Controllers want to see some tangible benefits, including myself because it is a primary reason that decides if I come back to the boards, not (my opinion) raises through MOU's. Many people have pointed out the flaws with this line of thinking: Not added to retirement, not added to base pay, and most of all it is not permanent. We would write books on the lack of adherence to the NASA sleep study, the indifference at HQ to schedules, the management intolerance and denial of people putting in for admin leave (when staffing supports it) when Mayor Pete grants it.
Simple actions can be taken to at least make the workforce happier like banking the admin leave like DHS does from Saint Mayorkas to be used at a later date.
Perhaps most of all controllers want a Union that will fight for them. NDJH, Rich/Mick, are not the answer. NATCA has sold its soul on the road of collaboration to its detriment and that of its members. The only ones benefiting from NATCA are those at Level 12's who think 1.6% is solid raise, those who managed to score Article 114 gigs, or those who some how managed to a get "do nothing" position while clocking good time.
Management needs to be challenged at every junction with a combative Union that places the members FIRST, not last. Before management does anything at any facility that DIRECTLY helps/hurts the members it needs to be ran by the Union.
There is a lot more I would type but this is my opinion and I stand by it.
A strike, in your hypothetical scenario tomorrow, would cause not only the administration but the FAA/Air Carriers/Private Corporations/ and International Air Carriers to their knees. The whole North-East, not to mention Southern Florida, or even California, would be extremely devastating.
Now on to Union stuff, this would burn every "collaboration" bridge that NATCA has built over the last 20 years. This is the equivalent to crossing the Rubicon, or a march on Moscow, there is no turning back. NATCA would forever be changed and any mention of collaboration or tolerance of it would die with a strike. On a personal note, the FAA made its bed and it should be forced to reckon with the lack of planning from the previous decades where nothing was done.
Controllers want to see some tangible benefits, including myself because it is a primary reason that decides if I come back to the boards, not (my opinion) raises through MOU's. Many people have pointed out the flaws with this line of thinking: Not added to retirement, not added to base pay, and most of all it is not permanent. We would write books on the lack of adherence to the NASA sleep study, the indifference at HQ to schedules, the management intolerance and denial of people putting in for admin leave (when staffing supports it) when Mayor Pete grants it.
Simple actions can be taken to at least make the workforce happier like banking the admin leave like DHS does from Saint Mayorkas to be used at a later date.
Perhaps most of all controllers want a Union that will fight for them. NDJH, Rich/Mick, are not the answer. NATCA has sold its soul on the road of collaboration to its detriment and that of its members. The only ones benefiting from NATCA are those at Level 12's who think 1.6% is solid raise, those who managed to score Article 114 gigs, or those who some how managed to a get "do nothing" position while clocking good time.
Management needs to be challenged at every junction with a combative Union that places the members FIRST, not last. Before management does anything at any facility that DIRECTLY helps/hurts the members it needs to be ran by the Union.
There is a lot more I would type but this is my opinion and I stand by it.
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CaptainObvious
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Not today, Whitaker
Interesting point. One could argue that merely discussing one's opinion is a suppression of freedom-of-speech.
On a separate note, I wanted to gauge just how angry/frustrated/tired the workforce (here) is of their work environment.
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I'm at cfs drinking free beer while long Island and Los angeles fight about in trails due to staffing. I absolutely would not. Hopefully I can get a 114 gig next year.
That said the people with no hope of moving up from a 6 or 7 on 6 day workweek might have a different opinion.
In all seriousness I took an oath not to and would never even think of such an illegal activity.
That said the people with no hope of moving up from a 6 or 7 on 6 day workweek might have a different opinion.
In all seriousness I took an oath not to and would never even think of such an illegal activity.
PooseMaGoose
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Absolutely man. 1st amendment does come to mind but its also important to remember that freedom of speech does not protect speech that incites illegal activities.. like strikes by federal employees. Not trying to be a buzzkill. Just throwing it out there. Anybody can be on these forums so it's wise to consider the possibility of bad interpretations.
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Fortunately we live in a world where thinking does not constitute a crime...
VikingsFan85
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Just like going over the speed limit is illegal, I would never consider such heinous things
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My polygraph examiner would like a word with you.
That would OK as long as CIC was staffed. Staffing the desk fixes EVERYTHING.
VikingsFan85
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People saying its illegal would have supported Jim Crow Laws as well
SquawkHijack
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I would agree, but there’s really no sense of collaboration or negotiation even now. I would say the biggest thing the Union has done is through legislative partnership by getting the Reauth bill passed which is also in part a stale-mate because it does force the agency to maximize hiring for the next 5 years. However the agency can argue they’re already doing that because they get 50,000+ applicants every year to be a 2152 and they can only get ~2000 through the academy. Now part of the bill does include funding to expand the academy but let’s say that takes at least 5 years to build…
I’m frankly just tired of all the collaboration smoke and mirrors and just want some real, meaningful accountability for the agency’s incompetencies. We’re literally in an era where there are dozens quitting and the agency would rather just pay to hire/train someone else as a replacement than to attempt any kind of retention. Yet turn around and send new hires to mid level facilities and leave experienced controllers with seniority and the responsibility to certify in the first place right where they are. It bothers me to the core to see all the wasted talent out there being passed up by someone who has zero time in ATC, zero time in federal service and zero seniority a handout to a potentially desirable spot all because the union won’t negotiate NCEPT. Which In a sense it makes me question having seniority in the first place.
I’ll get off my soapbox.
No need to strike. Retire early, change federal jobs once you hit 20 years good time, and if an opportunity in the private sector is available put in 2 weeks notice. Actions speak louder than words. People should be leaving the agency and looking out for themselves. It’s going to get a lot worse based on management schedule proposals.
Playing nice with management has done nothing for my facility. If anything it promotes incompetence on managements part. I despise all the collaboration nonsense. It's just a way to get A114 gigs.
Pointsixtynine.10
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Probably not.
Wizard
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Very well said
32andBelow
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Best I can do is an extra 2 hours between shifts so you can spend it commuting an extra hour
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Fine since I respect you and your opinion and work on the site I'll be real. I absolutely would NOT. I don't think that the agency has been bad to us, I think the union has. What was the last big union win?
Here's what i remember-
1.6% raises are not in line with step raises and are LOST when you move up a band or move to a different facility. IE a 10 year cpc who finally got to 12 z makes the same as the newest checkout
Why isn't it base+(years of service*1.6) makes no sense to me
2015BC(before covid) Chuck Schumer does some privatization talk and natca plasters emails about here's how privatization is a good thing some buzz feed cum dumpster
Some guy runs from the great lakes area? And talks about bullying and blackballing and then gets put in a side room at the convention lmao.
During covid- lots of unions are fighting back about vaccine mandated and natca is silent AND natca does NOT provide guidance on exemptions. And didn't get hazard pay and didn't get back pay for any trainees or attempt to get any money from the frontline heroes fund. BUT notices to airmen is now notices to air missions so that's a win?
Also in covid-trainees are forced to telework against law and teleworking policy and we FAILED to get a permanent teleworking mou in place. Probably cuz the high bmi article 114 were at Disney.
Who knows...people on article 114 duties for 15 out of a 20 year "controller" career. The union running all the agencies side projects from research to safety to briefings and the popular kids get to work from home and get good time on level 12 pay.
The agency and we can add in faama got parental leave, teleworking, modernizing etc.
20% of the union said they are sick of the union not sick of the agency- if your shit sucks the union failed.
Supervisors are getting better raises than us so don't blame the agency
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