By misinterpreting the law, the FAA is attempting to bypass the negotiations process and impose working conditions on its employees.  Quite simply, the collective bargaining process with the FAA is broken.

Early this year, important legislation was introduced in both the Senate and the House focused on changing the process by which negotiations between the FAA and its employee unions are handled in the event of an impasse. The “FAA Fair Labor Management Dispute Resolution Act of 2006” (S. 2201 and H.R. 4755) would make contract negotiations fair by implementing a three-step process of negotiations:

1. Mediation. If the two parties are unable to reach an agreement, negotiations are submitted to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS).
2. Congressional Action. If parties are still unable to reach an agreement, the FAA sends its contract offer and the union’s objections to Congress.
3. Binding Arbitration. Congress maintains the right to weigh in on the impasse, but if no action is taken, the agency and the union would both present proposals to binding arbitration.

This important legislation would require the FAA to negotiate in good faith with its unions.  We intend to negotiate in good faith, and expect the agency to do the same. All we are asking for is fairness.