Air Traffic Controllers Make Alliance With Senators in Dispute With FAA

The union representing air traffic controllers is looking to Capitol Hill for help in contentious contract negotiations with the Federal Aviation Administration.

Four Democratic senators introduced a bill yesterday that would permit labor disputes at the FAA to be settled through binding arbitration, John S. Carr , president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, announced.

The unusual move by NATCA -- to seek congressional support for changes in FAA labor procedures while at the bargaining table -- came a day after FAA officials held a news conference to say they had regained control of a New York radar center and brought an end to abusive overtime, sick leave and workers' compensation practices by controllers there.

In recent weeks, both sides have accused the other of making false claims, engaging in publicity stunts and twisting numbers on controller compensation in an effort to shape public perceptions about the negotiations. The FAA is one of the rare places in government where unions can bargain over pay.

Contract talks are scheduled to run through the first full week of March, and union officials contend that the FAA does not intend to bargain in good faith and will run out the clock on the talks. The agency denies the charge, arguing that a voluntary settlement is best for both parties.

If contract talks break down, the FAA might send its last offer to Congress for a 60-day review. If Congress takes no action, the FAA may impose its version of the contract on the union.

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) said he and colleagues proposed arbitration "to help defuse the growing management-labor tension at the FAA."

Under the Obama bill, if the FAA and one of its unions failed to reach a voluntary agreement, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service would be called on to try again for a settlement. If mediation failed, Congress could impose the FAA's last, best offer on employees by approving it in legislation. If Congress did not act, the impasse would go to binding arbitration.

Joining Obama in introducing the bill were Sens. Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.).

Carr called the bill "a matter of fundamental fairness" and said the union would seek to win Republican support. Although it seems unlikely that Republican leaders will move the bill fast enough to affect current contract talks, Carr expressed optimism, saying, "I really believe it has got legs."

The head of the FAA, Marion C. Blakey , ruled out "changing the rules of the game during halftime" in a letter to Carr this month.

She said the labor rules are "part of a carefully balanced approach" that gives the union the right to bargain over pay and benefits and gives Congress "the final say in any pay dispute." Turning impasses over to an arbitrator would take away authority that belongs to the president and Congress, Blakey said.

She added that the current approach has allowed NATCA "to enjoy unprecedented wage gains" that have made air traffic controllers among the highest paid federal employees.

Postal Blitz, Day 2

Postal officials continued their efforts to kill a Senate bill that would overhaul operations at the U.S. Postal Service, holding a news conference to list objections and to note that they have the support of the American Postal Workers Union.

Richard Strasser , the Postal Service's chief financial officer, said the bill, in combination with White House policy requirements, "will cause us to get into an immediate rate case that will be larger than it has ever been" and drive up stamp prices by 18 to 20 percent.

Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.), the bill's sponsors, said postal officials were "distorting our position and blatantly misleading our colleagues and the public." In a statement, they said, "The Postal Service appears to have sunk to a new low."

Leaders of the National Association of Letter Carriers and the National Rural Letter Carriers Association issued a statement in support of the bill.

Talk Show

Steven L. Katz , author of "Lion Taming: Working Successfully With Leaders, Bosses and Other Tough Customers," will be the guest on "FEDtalk" at 11 a.m. today on http://federalnewsradio.com/ and WFED radio (1050 AM).

E-mail:barrs@washpost.com