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NATA Airline Services Council
NATA formed the Airline Services Council (NATA ASC) to further the interests of companies that provide services to scheduled air carriers as their primary business. The primary goal of the NATA ASC is to provide a voice within the public policy arena, especially in terms of issues that impact their viability and profitability.. |
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Professional Line Service Training |
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PLST Online provides the most up-to-date training available for line service specialists – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Line service supervisors can conduct the new PLST Online training anytime and from anywhere there is access to the Web. continued |
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| House Member Highlights Concerns With Airports Competing Against Private Entities During FAA Reauthorization Debate |
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| Last Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 658, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Act of 2011. The legislative process now moves to conference to resolve differences between H.R. 658 and S. 223, the U.S. Senate’s FAA reauthorization bill.
“I applaud Chairmen Mica and Petri, as well as Ranking Members Rahall and Costello, on leading this bill to passage in the House,” stated NATA President James K. Coyne. “H.R. 658 contains a number of NATA-supported provisions that will improve aviation safety and address the needs of the association’s membership.”
Congressman John Duncan, Jr. (R-TN), a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, also took to the House Floor, on behalf of the association, to address his growing concern with airports competing against private businesses. Duncan highlighted the need for government not to compete against private businesses, including fixed base operators. Duncan has received a commitment from House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure leaders to convene a series of meetings on the subject to address this important NATA issue.
“NATA thanks Congressman Duncan for leading the effort to address governmental entities, including airports, competing against private sector businesses such as FBOs and airline services companies,” Coyne stated.
“As the process now moves to conference, I strongly encourage House and Senate leaders to resolve differences between the two bills within the current 60-day extension so the aviation industry can finally have a long-term measure,” Coyne concluded. | |
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| NMB Issues Favorable Decision For Airline Services Companies |
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| On April 1, 2011, the National Mediation Board (NMB) issued a decision in Air Serv Corporation, 38 NMB 113, addressing a union’s efforts to organize security officers employed by Air Serv at the Delta Airlines terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Air Serv had taken the position that its operations at JFK were traditional airline activities subject to the control of Delta and that, therefore, it was a derivative carrier subject to the jurisdiction of the Railway Labor Act (RLA). It also took the position that its operational, human resources and related activities were all conducted with centralized control from Air Serv’s HQ in Atlanta, which required that any election be conducted on a nationwide basis. The union took the position that even if Delta controlled the day-to-day operations at JFK, there was no evidence that Air Serv operations were controlled by other carriers at its other nationwide locations. The NMB required that Air Serv provide detailed information on its security operations, and airline control of those operations, elsewhere.
Following its investigation, the NMB ruled that Air Serv was a derivative carrier throughout the U.S. and that any election could only be conducted on a nationwide basis. The NMB came to this conclusion despite evidence that Air Serv had local union agreements at some of its locations, finding that these voluntary agreements did not alter the result.
This is a favorable decision for other airline services companies and re-affirms that if the company can demonstrate that its operations are subject to airline day-to-day control, and that company labor relations, human resources, operational, financial and sales activities are handled on a centralized corporate level, elections will be limited to nationwide units. This will make union organizing in the airline services industry more difficult. It may also open the door for companies with local labor agreements to rethink their existing union relationships. Finally, it is helpful in the defense of overtime claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act, which excludes from its coverage carriers subject to the RLA.
To read the NMB’s complete decision, please click here.
For further information, feel free to contact Roger Briton, britonr@jacksonlewis.com, or 631-247-4609. | |
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| NATA Submits Comments On Proposed Part 121 Rule |
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| Recently, NATA submitted its formal comments to the FAA on the agency’s proposed rules to require air carriers certificated to operate under Part 121 (14 CFR 121) to implement a safety management system (SMS). These air carriers would be required to develop and implement an SMS that complied with the new proposed Part 5 of the federal aviation regulations.
NATA’s interest in this rulemaking stemmed from the FAA’s statement, in the preamble of the proposed rule, that “although this proposal extends only to part 121 operators, the FAA has developed these general requirements with the intent that in the future, they could be applied to other FAA-regulated entities, such as part 135 operators, part 145 repair stations, and part 21 aircraft design and manufacturing organizations and approval holders.”
NATA’s comments focused on ensuring that the FAA’s vision for required SMS programs would be compatible with any possible extension to other types of certificated entities. NATA addressed:
- FAA’s multiple SMS rulemakings
- Scope and Effect of SMS regulation
- SMS Compliance and Enforcement
- FAA Guidance to Inspectors on SMS Compliance
- FAA’s Cost-Benefit Analysis
Click here to view NATA’s comments to the proposed Part 121 SMS rule.
Click here to view the proposed Part 121 SMS Rule. | |
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| Host A Congressional Tour Today |
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| Members of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives spend a lot of time in Washington, but they also spend valuable time in their states and districts during scheduled congressional work periods and recess. Members of Congress take these opportunities to visit with constituents, making this the perfect time for NATA members to invite their Senators and Representatives to tour their facilities.
In 2010, NATA worked tirelessly on numerous provisions negatively affecting aviation businesses. In 2011, we must remain vigilant and work together to educate the public and especially Members of Congress and their staff on the important role general aviation plays, including its economic value to our country. We will likely face a number of legislative hurdles this year, which is another reason to reach out to your elected officials and let them know how these issues affect YOU, their constituent. The inevitable passage of FAA Reauthorization and aviation security measures continue to be the most pressing legislative hurdles so far this year.
A tour of your facility is a valuable way to inform key congressional leaders on the principal issues confronting our national air transportation system while allowing you to address other issues affecting your business. This one-on-one interaction will give Members of Congress and their staff a better understanding of the value of America’s aviation businesses and airline services companies. In addition, NATA members can introduce their business to new and prospective Members of Congress, and forge stronger relationships with existing Members. Host a tour today!
To learn more about how to host a Congressional tour, please click here. | |
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| 2011 NATA Airline Services Council Brochure Now Available For Member Use |
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| NATA recently updated and published its NATA Airline Services Council brochure. This brochure provides information on the latest activities that the NATA ASC is undertaking, including issues, meeting schedule and member listing.
Members interested in receiving professionally printed hard copies of this brochure may contact Eric Byer on the NATA staff. | |
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| New NATA ASC Logo Available For Member Use |
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| NATA has created a new NATA ASC logo that members can use on company stationery, publications and their Web site. The association recently provided members with two types of logos that members can use as appropriate. Members wishing to secure the new logo may do so by contacting Eric Byer. | |
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| Limited Time Pricing For Refueling And Quality Control Manual |
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Starting this week and running through the end of April, NATA is offering a 25% discount on its updated Refueling and Quality Control Procedures for Airport Service and Support Operations. Don't miss out on this limited-time offer either to purchase an updated version of this manual or buy additional copies for your facility at this special rate.
Rate per manual for NATA members: $146.25 ($195 regular price)
Rate per manual for Non members: $187.50 ($250 regular price)
Click here to view several sample pages from the manual.
Visit NATA's online store www.nata.aero/Products-and-Services/NATA-Store.aspx to make your purchase before this offer ends! | |
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| Environmental Compliance Minute – Fuel Spill Preparedness |
| Is your facility prepared to handle an aviation fuel spill? |
| One of the realities of storing and handling aviation fuel is that fuel spills happen. How prepared are your facilities, staff and equipment for handling a fuel spill on your ramp?
In this month’s Environmental Compliance Minute, presenter George Gamble of 2G Environmental talks about key steps in ensuring that your business is prepared to handle an aviation fuel spill.
Click Here To Watch the March Edition of
The Environmental Compliance Minute | |
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| Don’t Miss The Only OSHA 10-Hour Seminar In 2011 |
| Held Back-To-Back with Popular LSST Seminar in Windsor Locks |
| Held Back-To-Back with Popular LSST Seminar in Windsor Locks
Safety & Health Training For Ground Operations Seminar – Only One In 2011
NATA’s Safety & Health Training for Ground Operations (OSHA 10-Hour Course) will be offered once this year on May 26-27 immediately following NATA’s popular LSST Seminar in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. NATA’s OSHA 10-Hour Course has been specifically designed for all employees with safety and health responsibilities. Attendees will be introduced to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and general industry policies, procedures and standards, as well as gain a working knowledge of OSHA regulations. Our instructor will provide real-world OSHA guidance and aviation case studies. Attendees will be provided audit and checklist templates as well as the knowledge to implement and improve their facility compliance programs. Participants will receive a course completion certificate from NATA as well as a course completion card from OSHA.
Seminar Topics:
- Gain in-depth knowledge of safety and health concepts
- Obtain a working knowledge of OSHA regulations as well as general industry policies
- Increase your awareness of the link that exists between risk and safety
- Review and take back a practical checklist that will increase your ability to perform your day-to-day duties safely
- Learn correct safety procedures and standards
Click here for more details and a link to register for NATA’s OSHA 10-Hour Course.
Line Service Supervisor Training Seminar – Only LSST In Northeast In 2011
NATA’s Line Service Supervisor Training Seminar will once again take place at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, on May 24-25. This seminar, specifically designed for Line Service Supervisors, provides the training you need to become more proficient in strategic planning, supervising staff, motivating others, communicating and coaching a team. This high-impact, high-energy seminar includes guided group debates, role playing, interactive games and various case studies designed to take you to a new level of leadership. You will also take part in self-assessments to explore your strengths and weaknesses and their effect on your management style.
Don’t miss the chance to attend the LSST in Windsor Locks. Click here for more details and a link to register.
Visit www.nata.aero/event.aspx for information on future NATA events. | |
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