 Grant R. Anderson Legislative Activism Update This week NATCA launched a nationwide grassroots effort in support of pro ATC language (prohibiting privatization or further contracting out) in the Senate FAA reauthorization bill S.824 (also known as the “Aviation Investment and Revitalization Vision Act”). NATCA members across the country started calling and faxing their Senators expressing their support. But more needs to be done. We are still asking all NATCA members to call their states US Senators offices in Washington and their local offices as well saying that you want them to support Sen. Lautenberg’s amendment to FAA reauthorization. The FAA Administrator, the office off the Secretary of Transportation, and the group representing contract tower companies have been actively lobbying against us on this and we need to make a good showing in order to succeed. The Senate offices really do tally up the calls and faxes on issues, and it does have quite a bit of influence on them. Additionally, we need you to go to the NATCA national site www.natca.org , highlight legislative center in the upper left, select legislative activism and then click the sign up text in the upper right. There is a form that will take a minute or so to fill out for just this time. You will then see the union’s current activities. On the bottom of the page select the “senate privatization language” link. This will allow you to fax both of your senators a prewritten (though it is editable if you prefer) fax. It is a little ambiguous but the send a letter via the internet portion really will send a fax! Make sure you close the page when you’re done so the next person can start fresh. We really need every NATCA member to do this in addition to calling his or her Senator. We especially need help with Senators Bond and Talent in Missouri and Grassley in Iowa. Ruth Marlin sent out this update Friday on the progress in congress: Here is the status as of 10:41 EST 6/6/03: They have not reached a time agreement on the Reauthorization bill in the Senate. Floor staff has said nothing will come to the floor without a time agreement. They are currently negotiating and no ETA is available. The House reauthorization is scheduled to come to the floor next week, likely Wednesday/Thursday. Amendments must be filed be Tuesday, so if someone wanted to strip the existing anti-privatization language they would have to submit it to the rules committee by Tuesday to determine if it will be heard. We are not aware of any amendments at this time, we are monitoring the situation closely. We are obviously at the mercy of the congressional scheduling and how soon they can get their job done. We are not really sure now if the bill will reach the floor of the senate next week. Based on the above info, I am guessing we may have a grassroots effort with the House next week. I know this can be confusing and at times overwhelming but the next few weeks will be incredibly important to our careers and your help and patience with the process is appreciated. Please contact me with any questions. Grant Anderson Here is the Senate contact info for the region: Senate Switchboard
202-225-3121 MISSOURI Kit Bond |
