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Why Join NATCA?
I’m often asked when talking to fellow engineers about joining NATCA "What’s the union going to do for me?" With that in mind, I’ll tell you what the union does for me and I’ll also tell you why I joined NATCA.
Around the FAA, engineers were having their engineering titles removed and having their positions converted to technician positions. NATCA stopped the conversion process and saved my position as an engineering position. This comforts me in knowing that if I leave the agency I won’t have employers asking why I have been working as a technician for the last number of years. But that’s not why I joined NATCA.
NATCA is able to do many things for me. My brother and sister engineers nationally look out for the interests of FAA engineers as well as all in my profession. They lobby members of Congress on my behalf. They address issues with headquarters management that affect my job and my future. But that’s not why I belong to NATCA.
A dedicated group of NATCA legal professionals and NATCA engineers represented my interests as they negotiated a contract for me. They addressed pay; performance and working conditions that made my job better now than it was before the contract was signed. They obtained things such as a respectable pay raise, true time and a half for overtime, credit hours for travel time, and upgrades to the 60% travel requirements. But that’s not why I joined NATCA.
My local representatives present issues to local management to improve my work place and the work processes that I use. They represent me when I am faced with changes to my job or attacks against my person by management. But that’s not why I belong to NATCA.
I joined NATCA to make a difference in my profession and workplace. I want to be a part of the solution.
I want to add my experience and talents to making this FAA a better place to work for engineers. I am committed to making the agency recognize and appreciate FAA engineers for their contributions toward improving the NAS.
I joined NATCA to give. Your representatives contribute their spare time, earned leave, and extra efforts to protect and promote engineers. They travel and meet on their weekends and time off to conduct business and steer the organization in the right direction. They get calls at all hours and respond on short notice to represent your rights and positions when the need arises. They are defending you against management arrogance, indifference and stupidity. They are protecting YOU when your colleagues are being disciplined for real or fabricated indiscretions. They work with other engineers and controllers to share the big picture of the FAA with elected officials and enlist their support in making things better for us and for the flying public.
I contribute 1.5% of my base salary every paycheck to help my national organization operate. A portion of those funds (10%) supports my local organization. I have a family, support local charities, and have bills like everyone else; but I think this is important. My career is important to me. I pay that amount to make sure the union represents what should be represented and make sure my opinion makes a difference.
Many unions appear to only look for fights with management and constantly run in opposition to them. Others appear to only protect the weak and are only concerned about pay and benefits. NATCA has demonstrated a concern for protecting and developing the profession of engineering at the FAA. NATCA also has worked in partnership with management for everyone’s mutual benefit on many different issues.
By paying my dues and participating I can help to make sure this is a professional union representing the engineers for what is right not just fighting against change. For the ability to ensure my career is a happy and productive one I think 1.5% of my base salary it is a very small amount. NATCA already has given me more than that in my base pay rate without even considering any of the other pay benefits.
I have heard people say, "I can take care of myself. If things get so bad I will take my experience and work ethic and find a new job." That is fine for some, but if you like your job, why should you leave because management makes bad decisions. I think it is better to help an organization run more effectively and efficiently than to let it go to the dogs and jump ship. I have too much invested in this place.
NATCA is a family. I am always amazed at how NATCA members rise to the occasion to help other members in need. If you receive any of the official publications, you see the generosity of NATCA members. As a family we look out for each other. When one of us has a problem, we all work to help resolve the problem.
I became an engineer because I wanted to apply technology to make the world a better place to live. I joined NATCA to promote and protect my profession in the FAA. I want to make a difference here at the FAA.
I enjoy the camaraderie with my NATCA engineer, architect, and controller brothers and sisters.
If you aren’t a member now, join NATCA now and make a difference. You don’t get many chances to actually make a difference in your work environment and this is definitely your chance. Look into where you can put your professional skills and abilities to work in the NATCA organization and make a difference. Don’t just go along for the ride; take a stand; your input is valuable; help make this place as good as it can be.
Don’t ask what NATCA can do for you; ask how much you can do for your profession through NATCA.
In solidarity,
Troy Swanberg, ANI-440 Mechanical Engineer
NATCA EGL President
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