FAA Action May Be Overturned

The House has passed an FAA reauthorization measure (HR-915) that among other things could in effect turn back the clock on a contentious labor issue at the agency, which has special personnel authorities in many areas including, for air traffic controllers, one of the few authorities in the executive branch for bargaining over pay. During bargaining in 2006, the agency and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association hit an impasse and under special authority the agency imposed its last offer as the contract—an action that unions, others and some members of Congress protested loudly. The measure would void that action, restore the terms of the prior, contract, and restart the dispute resolution process with the prospect of arbitration. It includes funds for back pay on the assumption that a new agreement would be retroactive and more generous than what FAA imposed.