As a current Regional Business Agent and Union leader, I refuse to sit back quietly and wait for contract violations to be resolved through protracted Contract negotiations. I am the voice of our members, not the attorneys. It is abhorrent that the Agency denies every grievance through Step 3, seemingly aiming to bankrupt our Union out of existence. I am disgusted that agency managers seek permission from the labor relations branch to make even the most straightforward decisions.

When I endorsed the incumbent three years ago, I believed a more harmonious relationship with the Agency was necessary for our Union's success. I was mistaken. The incumbent serves in two full-time positions granted by our contract – as the Regional Vice President (RVP), who is responsible for representing the interests of the Union to the Agency, and as a member of the AVS Bargaining Team, which negotiates the terms of our contract with the Agency. The RVP’s decision to serve in two full-time, Agency-paid roles himself has been to the benefit of the Agency, at the expense of the membership. This decision has cost the Union over $300,000 in Official Pay that could have been granted to another member to serve on the team, excluded another member from being empowered to participate in an extraordinary opportunity, and our RVP has become ineffective due to being overtasked – by choice. The RVP’s decisions have left the Contract Representatives fighting alone against the constant attacks by Agency management. We don’t have a leader fighting with us.

We have a canary in the coal mine – telework. Despite thousands of grievances filed by our Representatives, including those having nothing to do with telework, the Agency consistently ridicules the Contract Representatives and denies nearly every grievance submitted. The Agency has become emboldened and flagrant in their violations of our Contract. Through its Labor Relations specialists, middle managers, and Senior Executives, the Agency is now openly adversarial towards the Union and utterly disinterested in hearing our grievances. Because our RVP is more focused on getting us a new Contract, Region IV has lost its ability to fight for membership under the existing Contract.

Folks, the canary is dead, and the death of our entire Contract is next.

Thousands of us work in an environment where we anxiously await the next benefit to be stripped away. These benefits, such as healthcare coverage, retirement plans, and paid leave, are essential to our personal lives, relationships, physical and mental health, and enjoyment of the things we find most meaningful. Losing these benefits not only affects our work but also our overall well-being.

Many of us could earn more in the private sector, but we chose this path for a better work environment. Under FAA Personnel Reform, ALL our employee protections under Title 5 were stripped away. Our Contract secures ALL of our employee protections and benefits. We LOSE everything if we give away one word of our existing contract.

Fellow members, the canary in the coal mine died over six months ago. As a member myself, I am deeply disappointed to see our RVP consumed with contract negotiations while Contract Representatives fight without backup to maintain the contract we have. It takes courage to stand up and fight for what is right. I will fight this Goliath and do not fear throwing the rock. To win this battle, I can’t do it alone.

It is time for us to rise and fight with unwavering resolve. We must protect our rights, our benefits, and our dignity. Together, we can stand against the injustices we face and ensure a better future for all our members. Let us not be deterred or defeated. Our unity and determination are our greatest strengths. Stand with me, and together, we will prevail.