A publication by and for Aviation Safety Inspectors- MFG of the Aircraft Certification Service.
Published by MIDO Inspectors wanting to join the Professional Airway Systems Specialists (PASS) E-Mail: Unionmido@hotmail.com
Welcome To Our Publication organization as a whole saves money and
Over the past year a small group of is "Successful". Uncertainty over
MIDO Inspectors gathered together and future job security, pay and prospects
talked about the job we do, the seems to be the only certain thing
changes we are seeing, and about the new system.
what the future is going to bring.
These are just a few of many reasons
Over the past ten years we've seen a our group of ASI's has come together to
tremendous change in both what we do, share ideas, work to better inform
and how we do it. Manufacturing Inspectors, and move our
profession forward.
We've changed from General Schedule
(GS) Federal Employees in the What are our Goals?
competitive service, to exempted FG We believe it is appropriate for us as
employees of the FAA. MIDO Inspectors to become an organized
bargaining unit of the Professional
In 1998, our Travel Rules have Airway Safety Specialists (PASS). We
changed, and the amount of travel we believe representation as a bargaining
do has increased dramatically over the unit will be key to our future in
last few years. We now do much of our dealing with the many issues which are
business with computers and internet, in our future.
and hold greater responsibilities than
ever before. We spend many days on We wish to provide information about
the road, not only in our home what is happening in Directorate and
"Districts", but helping other Field offices, the Federal Government
offices, and traveling around the word as a whole, and those issues which
as well. affect ASI's in the performance of our
work. To do that, we've committed to
In 1999, we head into even greater each other and to our fellow ASI's that
changes. While the date have not yet we will gather information and provide
been finalized, we are scheduled to recommendations that make real sense on
come under the new FAA pay system. the job.
For a limited number of ASI's, this
may mean a better chance at a bright We believe the time is right to become
future. The out years, however, show Organized as a Bargaining Unit under
a lower annual increase in wages than PASS!
can be expected with other federal
employees. To top it off, any general Executive Order 12871
raise will depend in whether the signed by President Clinton
What's Hot: "The involvement of Federal Government
Several issues are HOT for Winter employees and their union
1999. representatives is essential to
achieving the National Performance
Travel Rule Changes Review's Government reform objectives.
In January several new Federal travel Only by changing the nature of Federal
rule changes take effect. The most labor-management relations so that
talked about among ASI's is a new managers, employees and employees'
travel rule which says motel room elected union representatives serve as
taxes are to be considered separately partners will it be possible to design
from the given per diem rate for each and implement comprehensive changes
town, and that taxes can be claimed as necessary to reform Government. Labor
a separate line item on your travel management partnerships will champion
voucher. change in Federal Government
Recent e-mail messages have said the agencies to transform them into
new FAA travel order is going to be organizations capable of delivering the
revised to be consistent with the highest quality services to the
Federal regs, except that Laundry, American people."
formerly part of the incidentals
allowance, will NOT be an allowable The order goes on to clarify the roles
expense for FAA employees. We believe and responsibilities of Management in
this is an item which might be dealing with union representation. A
negotiable in the future. complete copy of the text of this
Life Insurance Open Season executive order is available at:
In 1999, all Federal Employees http://www.flightstandards.org/library/e
will have a chance to increase o12871.htm
their Federal Employees Group Life
Insurance in the first open season on
changes in ten years. Look for Ready to help:
information on ways to increase your
coverage for yourself and family PASS has stated they are ready to help
protection. our efforts to organize as a bargaining
unit of Aviation Safety Inspectors-
Call for a Vote Manufacturing.
A number of Manufacturing ASI's
have agreed that it is time we call We believe the time is right to do
for a vote for union representation. this. If you believe that belonging to
Some may fear that union organizing PASS is the right thing to do, we'd
could jeopardize their future like to hear from you!
promotions or their relationship with
management. We believe that the FAA Our e-mail is: unionmido@hotmail.com
Manufacturing Inspection Management
will follow Presidential Executive
Order 12871, which calls for
Management of the Federal Government
to work in Partnership with its
employees, without fear of
retaliation.
What does Representation mean?
Representation simply means that before our employer can make changes to our working conditions, they must notify the exclusive bargaining agent and give them an opportunity to negotiate not only whether the policy will be implemented, but whether it can be implemented. This gives time for the representatives of the employees to look at the proposal, and either agree to its adoption, negotiate on behalf of the employees for better terms, or object to it if its not in the interest of the employees.
Items such as the new Air Traffic Controllers pay package, whether and when new travel policies go into effect, and when "contractor issued charge cards are mandatory" are all terms of employment and working conditions which have been the subject of negotiations in the recent past.
How will representation come about?
It only takes affect if the employees want it to.
Gaining bargaining status is a two step process. First, employees must petition to have a vote.
In this case, all Aviation Safety Inspectors-Manufacturing in MIDO's, MISO's and the ACO Certification specialists will be asked to sign a petition whether a vote should be held. THIS IS NOT THE VOTE TO OBTAIN BARGAINING STATUS- It is only a sign that employees feel enough interest has been generated to ask for an official vote of the members of the proposed bargaining unit.
If 30% of the employees in this bargaining group sign, a vote must be taken among all members of the proposed bargaining group. In this case, secret ballots are mailed to each Manufacturing ASI in MIDO's, MISO's and ACO's throughout the country.
If 50% of the ballots cast are IN FAVOR of representation, the union is certified and representation is established.
Do I have to join the union?
Absolutely not! You are free to become a union member, or not become a member. It's your choice. Members pay dues and have certain other membership benefits, some of which are outlined below. You do not have to be a member to enjoy the benefits of negotiated working conditions. However, certain appeals of management decisions are only available to dues paying members of the bargaining unit. And only dues paying members may bring issues before management as bargining items, or obtain union assistance in adverse personnel actions. Its up to you to decide.
Why is PASS the right union?
A group of Manufacturing ASI's talked to a number of representatives, and found that PASS is a well-qualified organization. PASS currently represents over 10,000 Federal Employees within the FAA and DOD, and currently is the agent for Flight Standards ASI's.
PASS membership has grown by 25% in the last year alone. Strong PASS membership sends a clear message to the FAA and to Congress that it is committed to certifying air safety. PASS is a professional organization which represents FAA Systems Specialists, Engineers, Flight Standards ASI's, Pilots, and others. PASS has been highly successful in its employee involvement program in Flight Standards, establishing a partnership process called "Partnership for Safety". This program has been a cornerstone for advancing the interest of safety for its members, and working in partnership with management on several key safety issues.
PASS is also affiliated with the AFL-CIO, and PASS members receive many valuable benefits, including Union Privilege Mastercards, Mortgage and Life Insurance, and legal services. It even has its own dental plan.
If I do decide to join, how much does membership cost?
Full annual membership would be deducted from your paycheck on a bi-weekly basis. Members pay an annual membership fee of 1.5% (One and One-Half percent) of the rate of pay of the FIRST STEP of their grade. For example, an FG-1825-12 step three would pay 1.5% of the rate of an FG-1825-12 step 1, spread out over 26 pay periods. It is important to note that ONLY THOSE WISHING TO JOIN PAY DUES. If you decide not to join, it doesn't cost a cent.
We hope that these questions will start you thinking about the benefits of allowing a vote on Representation to take place. It all begins with a group of folks who desire that a vote be taken.
Right now we have but a small number of Manufacturing ASI's who believe the time is right for representation. If you'd like to be a part of the process, please feel free to drop us an e-mail at:
Please send us your HOME or other NON-WORK e-mail address, so that we can send you the latest information about our progress. If you'd like to sign a petition or circulate a petition, let us know too.
All names and addresses will be kept in the strictest confidences.
YOUR HELP IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE SHARE THIS FLYER WITH ANOTHER MANUFACTURING ASI.
As a result of a recent e-mail between a couple of inspectors, we think you might have some questions about us. Here are the answers to questions one inspector recently asked:
Questions & Answers:
Q: Who are you?
A: A small group of ASI's in all four directorates who want to get union
representation through PASS.
Q: Who's voting, and voting on what?
A: MIDO, MISO, ACO manufacturing specialists will be asked to vote in two
phases as described on the literature. We must first get thirty percent to agree that a vote should be held in order to hold a vote (The petition period), then fifty percent who say that it is OK to have a bargaining unit (The representation vote). We do not need 50% who agree to be dues paying members. In fact, we'd be surprised if that many chose to pay dues. But we can get bargaining unit status if enough people say its O.K. to have a union.
Q: What do you want me to pass on to other ASI's?
A: The MIDO Minute News, as we don't have home addresses to send them to,
and can't e-mail it directly to their office addresses. We hope to provide a monthly publication until we achieve a successful vote. But we only have a limited number of e-mail addresses for people, so we need your help in printing it out, and sharing it with other ASI's.
Q: What percentage of ASIs are presently on board?
A: Only a small number at present. We've talked or e-mailed with MIDO/MISO ASI's in all four directorates regions- about twelve people so far. We think this is a great start and that's why we are sending this out now.
Q: Does this activity you propose involve only MIDO ASIs?
A: MIDO, MISO and ACO Specialists is what we think an appropriate bargaining
group should be. We theoretically could also ask the three in each directorate HQ, but are not learning in that direction at the moment. If any of them express a desire to join us, we may ask them as well.
We also could ask AIR-200 ASI's, but there are issues in doing that which would make it harder to get approved, and so far no AIR-200 folks have been talked to to see if they are interested. The FAA has on a previous occasion declared that regional and headquarters personnel are "management" and not able to join a union. (See the Flightstandards web site at http://www.flightstandards.org discussion about the trials over establishing bargining unit status in ACE-200)
The FAA lost the decision in front of the labor relations folks and now ACE-200 is a bargaining unit, but it was a battle. At this point, we don't want those kind of issues detracting from our current needs to get an ASI bargaining group.
Q: Why are you keeping a low profile?
A: It is better to lay ground work and talk amongst ourselves before "laying the cards on the table" before management. One or two people trying to do this could be perceived as "troublemakers". Thirty or forty would be more perceived as people with valid concerns.
We are well on our way to becoming a group large enough to move forward, but we need feedback from other ASI's as to whether we should move forward with this idea. We need you to tell us you support the idea, and to bring issues to us which would you feel need to be addressed.
Q: Is what you're doing, a violation of our code of conduct or FAA regulations?
A: Absolutely not. We only have to be careful that the FAA policy of not using government resources for the conduct of union business is not questioned at this point in time, so we cannot e-mail the MIDO minute news to the office, nor from one office to another. We need to gather home e-mail addresses or home mailing addresses so we can share info with each other outside the normal office channels. More than 4,000 FAA employees are now members of PASS, and the number is growing all the time. Flight Standards has benefited from recent rulings including some issues about travel on weekends (FSDO Inspectors now are paid overtime/comp time if they travel to classes on weekends), and other government travel policy issues. The ability to bargain as a group is about to be much more important. when the new pay system takes effect. We no longer will be given raises and step increases, but instead our pay will depend solely on 1. If our management is willing to give us a promotion (very subjective) and 2. Whether our organization is "successful". The organizational success increase may be granted only if we save money from previous years. Management will have incentive then NOT to promote people, or spend the money necessary to resource the needs of our offices.
We feel we may be able to have more input into HOW our organization saves money, things like telecommuting, and working more from home. With a bargaining group we have the channel to make such suggestions more of a reality for the future.
You have received the flyer. Please print it out and hand it off to the other folks in your office.
If you also have any home e-mail addresses (not cc.mail addresses) for other MIDO inspectors we'd appreciate it if you told them about us, and asked them if they would drop us a e-mail at this address, so we can send them the MIDO Minute News, and the future sheets which will be produced. We hope to gather enough support to call for a vote within about 60-90 days, but need to make additional contacts before we are ready.
Please advise us what you think of our efforts, our newsletter, and any ideas you have on how to contact the other ASI's. We need to pass on the info and see how many are interested. We are genuinely interested in your feedback, either positive or negative. Only if a sufficient number of people agree we should move forward will we actually call for a vote.
Thank you for your time, please write us at: unionmido@hotmail.com
The organizing committee