Against the Wind - National Air Traffic Controllers Association

232
2002
Against the Wind
Phil Barbarello: A Pennsylvania police
officer startled the longtime New York
TRACON facility rep by “arresting” him
during a session of the 1996 convention in
Pittsburgh. The officer’s brother, a controller,
concocted the prank. / NATCA archives
at his home in rural Rhode Island and was greeted by
an indignant 10-year-old. “You took my dad,” Susan
Barte said. Thornton nodded with understanding. “My
daughter says the same thing,” he replied.
“The involvement is like a mistress,” says former
Central Region Vice President Michael Putzier.
“You have to be really careful because it can
completely consume all of your time.”
Christine Neumeier, the longtime
Southwest Region office administrative
assistant, regards the members
as her children. It is a sentiment that
explains why she and other dedicated
staff members can often be found
working on NATCA business well
past 5 p.m.
The union’s ongoing successes
and its necessary involvement in
decisions affecting the National Airspace
System continue to lure 5 percent
to 10 percent of its members into
the ring of activism like a narcotic. Legions
of others help by contributing to the union’s
Political Action Committee or simply paying dues.
The net result can be seen in NATCA’s contract
gains with the agency, its significant influence in
the industry and on Capitol Hill, its effective dealings
with the news media, and its recognition by
organized labor.
Jan. May
7
The FLRA certifies NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative
for 950 FAA staff support specialists. This is the twentieth
bargaining unit organized by NATCA since its inception. 19
Although NATCA is a relatively small union,
Labor Relations Director Bob Taylor notes that its
voice is strong. “No doubt, we lead the way in the
labor movement in the federal government for all bargaining
unit employees and their families,” he says.
Such a string of victories has its downside.
More than a few members worry about the
inevitable serious setback. “Sooner or later,
it’s going to happen and it will be a
major shock. I don’t think the union’s
ready for it,” James Ferguson says.
For the time being, however,
NATCA remains justifiably proud
of its accomplishments and enjoys
a level of partnership with the FAA
that eluded previous generations of
controllers and agency managers.
Many union members are quick to
share the credit.
“Jane Garvey and her immediate
staff are phenomenal,” says Phil Barbarello,
the facility rep at New York TRACON.
“They’ve truly changed the way we think about
the agency. They’re more collaborative. And it’s starting
to trickle down. I don’t think there’s any turning
back. Too many people within the general ranks like
working with each other.”
From Garvey’s perspective, NATCA leadership
has played a big role in turning collaboration into
About 275 participants attend “NATCA in Washington.”