Dear NFFE-IAM Members:
H.R. 2810, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is under consideration on the floor of the U.S. Senate. NFFE is opposing three amendments: two from Senator Johnson (R-WI) regarding official time, and one from Senators McCain and Reed regarding a new round of base closures (BRAC). NFFE co-chairs two federal labor coalitions, the United DoD Workers Coalition (UDWC) and the Federal Workers Alliance (FWA). Please see below for the coalition letters sent to the Senate.
UDWC Senate Letter FWA Senate Letter
ACTION NEEDED: Sign and send this letter to your two US senators.
H.R. 2997, the 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act (a.k.a. “FAA Reauthorization”) contains a provision to privatize the nation’s Air Traffic Control system, moving it from the Federal Aviation Administration to a proposed new non-profit organization under the direct influence of the major airlines. Not only will the airlines have great influence over the system that is intended to regulate airline safety and air traffic, it will give away billions in federal assets to the non-profit and place the jobs of FAA employees at great risk after they lose their federal status.
In addition, the bill preemptively strikes labor unions under the new organization, making it nearly impossible to have a union. The anti-labor provisions allow the corporation to “rescind, amend, or alter” bargaining unit status, it would count a non-voter as opposing the union threatening majority votes, and eliminate, combine or break apart bargaining units without cause. Regardless of what some pro-privatization people may say, common sense dictates that if these anti-labor provisions are in the bill already, the unions will not exist or have power under the new scheme.
This bill affects everyone because the privatization and anti-labor provisions are considered a “model” for future privatization and anti-union legislation across the federal government.
See the letter to the House on HR 2997 here
ACTION NEEDED: Call or send this letter to your U.S. Representative where you work and live, especially if you are an FAA employee.
DO NOT CONTACT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ON OFFICIAL DUTY TIME, USING A GOVERNMENT PHONE, ON GOVERNMENT PROPERTY, OR USING GOVERNMENT EQUIPMENT INCLUDING GOVERNMENT EMAIL ADDRESSES.