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Post by shallowfg on Oct 30, 2015 9:34:29 GMT -5
Hello Everyone, As you know the FAA is planning to transition weather sites from CWOs to ATCs trained it LAWRs. We know that NATCA is working closely with the FAA to ensure that ATC complies with the transition. The MOU signed between the FAA and NATCA back in 2013 proves that point. In addition, a recent email sent from a NATCA representative (MTucker) further proves collusion between NATCA and the FAA to push the transition forward, it even provides a financial incentive to ATC who successfully complete the transition. I have provided both of the documents to the AFL-CIO. I expected PATCO to step forward and prevent this transition from happening. NATCA is "raiding" jobs from a fellow union to benefit their union members. Both PATCO and NATCA are affiliated under the AFL-CIO, and therefor must conform to the rules and regulations of that organization. The AFL-CIO Constitution specifically mentions this type of behavior. Please read AFL-CIO Constitution, Article 20, Settlement of Disputes, Section 3(a). AFL-CIO Article 20As you see, NATCA is actively "raiding" and applying economic pressure to ensure its members complete this transition. "Raiding" is when one union takes jobs from another union. I again expected PATCO to step up and confront NATCA, but alas, PATCO is AWOL. So on the behalf of my fellow weather observers, PATCO members, and yes, even contractors I contacted the AFL-CIO. And now I asking you to do the same. Call the AFL-CIO Washington D.C. office at (202) 637-5000. Ask to speak to Elizabeth Dunn (it may be Bunn) in Organization. You may not speak with her, but one of her aides instead. Explain to them what is happening to the CWO community. Let them know that NATCA is attempting to "raid" PATCO. Explain to them that PATCO is AWOL, and that is why we are contacting the parent organization (AFL-CIO) directly. They will listen! |
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Post by skobie on Oct 30, 2015 12:46:23 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing that shallowfg and for doing the leg work. I will certainly take your advice and call the number and ask for the lady as you have stated above and I would advise others to do the same too.
Thank You,
skobie
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Post by fu on Oct 31, 2015 21:17:42 GMT -5
Does this apply when it involves different employers? ATC is employed by the FAA, CWO's are employed by the different contractors.
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Post by shallowfg on Nov 1, 2015 13:29:37 GMT -5
My understanding of Article 20 is that two different unions at the same work site, regardless of employers. For example, electricians and plumbers on a construction site. Each have specific jobs to do. They have different employers and different unions, but are at the same work site.
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Post by fu on Nov 1, 2015 15:26:59 GMT -5
Thanks, that makes sense.
The one thing that is going to be difficult to overcome is that any of the contracts the observers employers have with the FAA can be canceled at the convenience of the govt at any time. They don't have to provide a reason.
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Post by alstein on Nov 1, 2015 18:16:58 GMT -5
Given how much they want to get rid of us, we gotta figure out why they haven't done so yet, and make sure that happens every time.
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Post by shallowfg on Nov 2, 2015 7:32:49 GMT -5
Thanks, that makes sense. The one thing that is going to be difficult to overcome is that any of the contracts the observers employers have with the FAA can be canceled at the convenience of the govt at any time. They don't have to provide a reason. I agree with you. The FAA can cancel the contracts at anytime. The question is why they haven't done this? It appears to me this would be the easiest way of advancing the LAWRS transition. There may be something unknown to us at this time which is preventing the FAA from simply cancelling the contracts. |
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Post by fu on Nov 2, 2015 9:33:33 GMT -5
They're probably awaiting the results of the local safety panels. A few sites should survive that.
If the raiding question can slow the process down perhaps it will get someone's attention and they'll examine the whole plan. Good luck.
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Post by alstein on Nov 2, 2015 10:02:38 GMT -5
I suspect the safety panels won't save any individual sites, it will be all or nothing. They're pretty much a sham anyways.
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Post by wxobs29 on Nov 2, 2015 12:16:25 GMT -5
Good Afternoon,
I just thought I would let everyone know on here, I reached out and contacted her office today. She said they have already received several calls however, she took down my information and wanted to know if I had contacted headquarters yet. I was not sure what headquarters she was referencing yet, wanted to pass along the info. Keep the calls coming in...Its hopefully working! |
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Post by fu on Nov 2, 2015 12:19:16 GMT -5
I suspect the safety panels won't save any individual sites, it will be all or nothing. They're pretty much a sham anyways. A handful of sites have legitimate concerns. But you're right most of these will be shams just waiting on a signature. |
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Post by skobie on Nov 2, 2015 13:55:34 GMT -5
Good Afternoon,
I just thought I would let everyone know on here, I reached out and contacted her office today. She said they have already received several calls however, she took down my information and wanted to know if I had contacted headquarters yet. I was not sure what headquarters she was referencing yet, wanted to pass along the info. Keep the calls coming in...Its hopefully working! Assuming we're talking about Elizabeth Bunn (it is Bunn, not Dunn), I spoke with her just a little while ago and she indicated to me that the International (AFL-CIO) would only get involved if one local (PATCO) filed a charge against another local (NATCA) stating that Article 20 Raiding clause was being violated. She gave me the number of the Legal Dept., but expects that they would say the same ((202) 637-5392). This seems to indicate that PATCO must get involved. If not Sam Neimeiser, then perhaps David Ailes, VP Eastern Region ((609) 641-8092) or Ron Taylor, President ((772) 283-3369) will help and set a fire to Sam's ass or help us out otherwise. My problem is, I work at 2 different weather sites part-time and the site where I do represent the Weather Observers that is on the transfer list of 57 is not affiliated with PATCO. The other site that I work at is affiliated with PATCO, but is not on the list of 57, so it would probably be difficult to get the Union Rep there to do any legwork. Confused? What I'm saying is that someone, or better yet everyone, who belongs to PATCO who is on the list of 57 sites really needs to make some phone calls to one or more of the above people if they cannot get through to "Sam". I've never even so much as talked to him, because I have no reason to, so I can't complain that he's absentee. He should, however, see that there is a problem and act on it on your behalf, collectively, because it affects so many sites and people. I hate to pass on work that I'd rather do myself, but I'm not the right person to go raise hell if necessary based on my position. However, I would suggest that someone start with the AFL-CIO legal dept. first to see what they say about the situation and then work down to the other 2 guys within PATCO as needed to get the ball rolling. I am also attaching here the MOU between PATCO and NATCA (about the transfer of CWO to LAWRS stations) and the email that came out to ATC from their NATCA representative recently (basically saying amongst other things that they would receive a raise to do the extra work). Please let me know the out come of your research/conversations, even if by PM. I really believe we have something here. skobie |
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Post by fu on Nov 2, 2015 14:20:17 GMT -5
skobie Ailes and Taylor have no connection to the CWOs PATCO. They're from the old PATCO that was the ATC union pre NATCA.
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Post by skobie on Nov 2, 2015 14:20:54 GMT -5
OK, can we get some people who are over Sam's head if need be? We might need to go to these organizations that PATCO is a Local of as well: PATCO is affiliated with the National Union of Hospital & Healthcare Employees (NUHHCE) and with the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME). Here are some names, etc. that I've seen thrown around: Federation of Physicians and Dentists/NUHHCE Officers: Jack Seddon, Executive Director Address: 1310 Cross Creek Circle Suite C-2 Tallahassee, FL 32301 Phone: 850-942-6636 Website: www.fpdunion.orgOR Area Office: Florida (AFSCME) Contact: Andy Madtes, AFSD Address: 1700 NW 66th Ave Suite 113 Plantation, FL 33313 Phone: (954) 583-3081 OR American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO 1625 L Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20036-5687 OR We can also try the AFSCME website (http://www.afscme.org/union/directory), where you can click on your state (PATCO is out of Florida I know), but maybe the state that you live in also has a Field Office for AFSCME where we can make some phone calls to. Phone Numbers: Tel: 202-429-1000 Apparently PATCO falls under NUHHCE, which falls under AFSCME, which falls under AFL-CIO and if someone is not doing their job at one of these levels, they will eventually have to answer to someone at a higher level of Union involvement. We just have to figure out who that is. We are all equals and pay our monthly dues no less and there is at least a couple hundred Union members affected here. skobie |
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Post by fu on Nov 2, 2015 14:26:00 GMT -5
OK, can we get some people who are over Sam's head if need be? skobie His father Mark is all that I know of. Communications and updates from PATCO ceased when Tuso left so I have no idea who else one would contact. I do know that Sam is a useless piece of shit. |
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