PATCO/FPD
Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/25/23
Last year, the FAA awarded new contracts as part of its Contract Weather Observation program for the first time in over a decade. While the FAA rarely allows for increases in the base contract year, because of the skyrocketing costs of living at the time, PATCO was able to negotiate wage increases for the first year of those agreements. There were multiple protests lodged regarding the bidding process, and some of those protests were awarded, at least in part. As a result, the FAA awarded new contracts this past June. Consistent with how the FAA has handled the base year in the past, the FAA has announced that it will not award wage increases in the base year (June 2023, through May 2024). PATCO is addressing this issue in two ways. First, where successor agreements have increases effective October 1, 2023, we are positing to the Department of Labor that those increases must be honored. Second, we are working with the employers to negotiate new contracts to fix language that exists in some of the successor contracts. PATCO members will be kept informed as this process moves forward, and your continued patience, insight and support is appreciated.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: VERO TECH EMPLOYEES PREVIOUSLY IBEX – 9/27/23
HISTORICAL PROGRESS – 2022 -2023
Professional Air Traffic Controller Organization (PATCO) in affiliation with the Federation of Physicians and Dentists (FPD), National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees (NUHHCE), American Federation of State and County Municipal Employees (AFCME) American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) has worked over many years to provide wages improvements, benefit improvements, and strong contract language to support the great work that the members perform. In late 2021, Executive Director Henry Santana determined an objective to improve the transparency of the negotiating process, and to encourage and welcome more participation from members into the bargaining process. While this inclusive approach creates logistical issues, starting in early 2022,
PATCO has worked with FPD Executive Director Santana, Vice President Rich Perez,
and PATCO/FPD’s counsel Attorney Lance Geren, to provide all members a voice in
the negotiating process, including assisting in the development of contract proposals.
There are multiple contracts due to the subcontracting by the FAA to various corporate
Employers.
In early 2022, after receiving contract proposals from many members, PATCO/FPD began engaging the various FAA contractors to negotiate new collective bargaining agreements with wage, health & welfare increases effective October 1, 2022, and an equalization of benefits including Sunday pay, personal days, sick days, and the full vacation schedule. As we started this process, the FAA awarded the new bids effective June 1, 2022. While members were required to make some adjustments working for a new contractor, PATCO/FPD also adjusted its focus to engage the newly assigned contractors to continue negotiations. While PATCO/FPD was able to reach tentative agreements with some contractors, based on a protest filed with the FAA, the FAA continued the awarding of the bids and rebidding the contracts. It is expected that this process of rebidding will be culminate soon and all contracts with be concluded.
Due to the multiple PATCO contracts and what seems like continual rebidding by the FAA, contract negotiations and contract administration are ongoing. Thank you for your patience through this process, and please keep up your invaluable work!
IN SOLIDARITY!
Contact us with your concerns @ 1-800-373-5777 or at fpd.unionfpd.org. Staff are available eastern time
Kathleen A Carr was recently hired by FPD as an Administrative Representative to service all PATCO members. Kathleen comes to the position with over 30 years of labor relations experience in contract administration, negotiations and employee advocacy. Kathleen can be reached by email at kcarr@unionfpd.org or by cell at 561-917-7664.
