Tom Croteau This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. MyWestTexas.com - Union rep says quarter of Midland air traffic controllers soon eligible for retirement

   www.mywesttexas.com/site/news. - [Cached]

   Published on: 4/30/2006   Last Visited: 4/30/2006

   Tom Croteau, NATCA's facility representative for Midland International Airport, said three out of 26 air traffic controllers, or about 12 percent, in Midland currently are eligible for retirement and three more will be eligible within three years. Croteau said he does not believe most of the air traffic controllers want to retire any time soon, but the outcome of contract negotiations between the FAA and NATCA that started in July of 2005 may change their minds.
   
   "Depending on the contract, (controllers) could see a significant decrease in pay," Croteau said.
   
   Croteau said under the FAA's proposal, new hires would be making $25,000 less than new recruits are currently being offered. He said salaries for controllers in Midland range from $80,000 to $102,000 and under the FAA's contract the salary range would likely shift to $52,000 to $72,000.
   ...
   According to Croteau, the salaries earned by controllers are justified by the difficulty of the work and the level of responsibility that accompanies overseeing air traffic. Controllers in Midland are responsible for departures and arrivals from the airport and monitoring air traffic within a 35-mile radius, as well as San Angelo.
   
   "I don't think anybody in the whole industry would argue (that the salaries are justified,)" Croteau said. "The thing is, it's a job that's unique. One mistake can really make a lot of people have a bad day. Constant vigilance is required and if something happens, your feet are in the frying pan, things can go bad real quickly ... it's a very demanding job."
   
   Croteau said he became an air traffic controller after performing the same service in the Air Force. About 80 percent of controllers come from a military background, he said, and lower salaries for controllers combined with attractive military re-enlistment bonuses could discourage qualified candidates from leaving the military for the private sector.
   
   "I'm not sure you'll get as many people leaving the military and coming to work for the FAA," Croteau said. "Someone in the military is looking at $60,000 for a four-year re-enlistment bonus. When I was in the Air Force -- I left in 2002 -- I could have had $65,000 tax free ... (but) when I came to the FAA, I was happier and I could recoup that loss."
   
   Part of the problem, Croteau said, is not just the contract that was being offered by the FAA, but the manner in which contract negotiations are handled. Currently, if the FAA and NATCA reach an impasse after at least six months of negotiating, Congress is vested with the authority to intervene. If Congress does not act within 60 days, then the "last, best contract offer" from the FAA is instituted.
   
   A bill introduced in the Senate and a companion piece of proposed legislation introduced in the House of Representatives may change what is seen by NATCA as a system that permits the FAA to not negotiate contracts in good faith.
   
   "Hopefully, this will restore fairness to contract talks," Croteau said.
   ...
   According to Croteau, at least 22 senators have expressed support for the bill and 216 members of the House, close to a majority, have also declared their support for the initiative. A spokesman for Rep.

2. 2. newsairtraffic

   www.kwes.com/kwes/newsitestori - [Cached]

   Published on: 5/24/2006   Last Visited: 5/24/2006

   Controller Tom Croteau says they are concerned that the FAA plan would urge some Midland controllers to retire. He goes on to say that could leave them shorthanded ... and your safety in jeopardy.