FAA Reauthorization Legislation Introduced; ATC Privatization Grounded

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20 Apr

On April 13, leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee introduced the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R.4), a five-year bill to reauthorize the agency that is free of any proposal to privatize the air traffic control system. H.R.4 was introduced in the House by the entire bipartisan leadership of the committee and its six subcommittees, including T&I Committee Chair Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), T&I Committee Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), Aviation Subcommittee Chair Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.), and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.). Shuster was the most vocal proponent of privatization before he abandoned that plan earlier this year.On April 13, leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee introduced the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R.4), a five-year bill to reauthorize the agency that is free of any proposal to privatize the air traffic control system. H.R.4 was introduced in the House by the entire bipartisan leadership of the committee and its six subcommittees, including T&I Committee Chair Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), T&I Committee Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), Aviation Subcommittee Chair Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.), and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.). Shuster was the most vocal proponent of privatization before he abandoned that plan earlier this year.

PASS members can explore the union's analysis of the bill here.

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PASS Statement 60 Minutes Report on Allegiant Air

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16 Apr

Today, Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS) National President Mike Perrone issued the following statement in response to last night’s 60 Minutes report on Allegiant Air:

“The PASS-represented aviation safety inspectors at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) perform their duties on behalf of the American public. As made clear in the 60 Minutes report, “Flying Under the Radar” that aired April 15, their concerns and recommendations on Allegiant Air were properly documented. The actions and job performance of the inspectors were never called into question by the report.

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PASS Wins Representation Election; Brings More FAA Employees Under Its Umbrella

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26 Mar

PASS is pleased to announce the results of a representation election held at three service centers at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

By an overwhelming majority of 89 percent, employees at the Eastern, Central and Western Service Centers voted for PASS to be their exclusive representative. Roughly 400 employees were eligible to vote. The tally was held at the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) Regional Office in Washington, D.C. on Friday after a one-day delay caused by the snowstorm that shuttered federal offices in the D.C. metro area Wednesday.

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Better Work-Life Balance Makes for More Dedicated Civil Servants

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19 Mar

A new report issued by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) indicates what PASS and its members have known for years: offering family-friendly programs, such as flexible schedules and the option of telework, pays off for federal agencies and the American public. Workers who are able to take advantage of these programs are better able to balance their personal lives and professional careers, show higher performance and job satisfaction, and demonstrate a commitment to stay in the federal government.

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Hatch Act for the Modern Age

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16 Mar

With primary election season in full swing and the November mid-terms not far off, PASS reminds its members and all federal employees that there are certain restrictions on their political activity. The Hatch Act, a federal law passed in 1939 that limits certain political activities of federal employees, is changing according to modern times. Recently, the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), the agency that enforces the law, released updated guidance on the Hatch Act as it relates to social media and email. However, new guidance does not negate traditional rules and regulations and all federal employees should be fully educated before pursuing any politically-related activity.

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PASS Statement on Rep. Shuster Abandoning Plans for ATC Privatization

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28 Feb

Yesterday, House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) announced he would abandon his efforts to privatize the nation’s air traffic control system by removing it from the control of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Mike Perrone, national president of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS), released the following statement in response:

“FAA employees, millions of airline passengers, and the aviation industry as a whole, deserve bipartisan solutions when crafting ways to reform and improve the agency. PASS is proud to have fought alongside our allies for years against dangerous efforts to privatize the air traffic control system. We look forward to working together with lawmakers from either party to find real solutions to securing the long-term and stable funding needed to continue the modernization of the largest, safest and most complex aviation system in the world.”

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