Republicans: Who Cares About Safety? We Need to Diss a Union!

The FAA maintains that it was a pay increase, not a pay cut, but it looks like going back to the old contract would require $20m in back pay.

The FAA refused to negotiate in good faith with the union.

Controller Amendment Could Scuttle FAA Bill, Mica Says (Subscription Required)
Aviation Week & Space Technology
07/02/2007, page 37

Adrian Schofield
Washington

Republicans say controller amendment could be 'showstopper' for FAA bill

Printed headline: Veto Bait

The juggernaut that is the FAA reauthorization effort has rolled past another congressional milestone, but in doing so it picked up a controversial amendment that threatens to draw a White House veto.

The House version of the FAA reauthorization bill was introduced June 27 --after many false starts--and was supported by both Republican and Democratic leaders from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. However, this accord was short-lived: Just a day later Republicans vehemently opposed an amendment that would reopen an air traffic controller contract imposed by the FAA last year.

The amendment and the bill itself were eventually approved during a June 28 markup hearing, and are now headed for further debate on the House floor. The Senate passed its own version in May.

Rep. John Mica (Fla.), ranking Republican on the committee, stressed the controller clause will likely result in a presidential veto. This amendment is a "showstopper" and "a poison pill that could kill FAA reauthorization," he said. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters later confirmed the veto threat.

The controller amendment--offered by aviation subcommittee Chairman Jerry Costello (D-Ill.)--would turn the clock back to before the FAA declared an impasse in negotiations with the controllers union. Under existing law, the impasse allowed the agency to impose its last contract proposal. The Costello amendment would send the FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Assn. (Natca) back to the bargaining table, and would require binding arbitration if no agreement is reached within 45 days.

Both sides agree the contract negotiation process needs to be changed in the future, but they differ over reopening the existing contract. Costello proposes reversing new pay and work rules imposed by the FAA last year, and awarding up to $20 million in back pay to controllers. However, he noted the amendment would be void if the FAA and Natca manage to reach a settlement before the reauthorization bill reaches the President.

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