NATCA

The Professional Standards Committee recently completed a three-day training session in Indianapolis from June 2-4. The meeting allowed the committee to welcome new members and thank them for volunteering to serve NATCA in such an important role.

Jamie Cerami (Chicago TRACON, C90) described the Professional Standards class as a great experience, “It helped me see how professionalism is a key asset to our career, especially in some of the most stressful situations. What it showed me was we can collectively resolve some of the peer-to-peer issues to help our facilities be a more fun and professional workplace. I look forward to demonstrating a positive connection with NATCA and the FAA.”
Participants for the class included Nolan Adams (Grand Rapids ATCT, GRR), Matthew Chandler (Tampa ATCT, TPP), Jamie Cerami (C90), Chris Famulari (Albany ATCT, ALB), Reece Gillund (Montgomery ATCT, MGM), Patrick Hebert (Atlantic City ATCT, ACY), Nicolas Humphrey (Dupage ATCT, DPA), Evangelina Hess (St. Louis Downtown ATCT, CPS), Ray Keeling (Memphis Center, ZME), Sasha Lopez (Evansville ATCT, EVV), Austin Peterson (Allegheny ATCT, AGC), Kevin Portanova (ZME), Amanda Turnipseede (Houston TRACON, I90), and Luis Villasenor (Midland ATCT, MAF).

Lydia Baune (Spokane ATCT, GEG), Patrick Carter (Dallas-Fort Worth TRACON, D10), and Chris Keyes (Washington Center, ZDC) led the training course.

On May 27, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (Hawaii-2) stopped by Hilo TRACAB (ITO) for a tour of the facility. She met with local member Brenden Markwood and others who showed her the new SAID displays that had just been installed. They discussed other new equipment coming as part of the Department of Transportation’s modernization initiative.

NATCA’s local members explained the current mental health and aviation medicine landscape and how bills recently introduced in Congress could help improve the medical clearance process. They also discussed NATCA’s goal of securing pay parity with the military. Rep. Tokuda expressed support for our Union’s legislative priorities and a desire to continue to maintain a strong relationship with NATCA.

NATCA members and retirees recently attended the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (IFATCA) annual conference in Bucharest, Romania, from April 20-24, 2026. This year’s event marked IFATCA’s 65th annual gathering.

This year’s conference brought together air traffic controllers’ associations from around the world to discuss key priorities for the profession, share lessons learned, and explore new developments shaping air traffic control and safety. The theme of this year’s event was “Air Traffic Controllers: Attract Them, Value Them, Keep Them.” Breakout sessions focused on workforce sustainability, emerging technologies, and the future of the global controller profession.

“IFATCA is where the world’s controllers come together to set the standard for our profession. NATCA’s active participation – and our elected leadership roles – ensures that the American controller’s voice shapes global policy, not just responds to it. I’m proud of what this team continues to accomplish on behalf of every NATCA member,” said NATCA Safety Representative and IFATCA North American Regional Vice President John Murdoch (Philadelphia ATCT, PHL).

During the conference, votes were held to fill seats on several IFATCA committees. The United States retained elected seats on four different committees, with Vice President Emeritus Trish Gilbert re-elected as Executive Vice President Professional and Jaymi Steinberg (Washington Center, ZDC) re-elected as the chair for the Technical and Operational Committee (TOC). “I’m continually impressed by the enthusiasm and cohesiveness on the TOC team. The group will work together over the next year to produce papers on a variety of topics including updates on technical policies, researching challenges brought to the team and investigating new technologies,” said Steinberg.

NATCA’s delegation attending this year’s IFATCA annual conference included: Brittney Armbrust (Colorado Springs ATCT, COS), Lydia Baune (Spokane ATCT, GEG), Betsy Beaumont (Fort Worth Center, ZFW retired), Devin Carlisto (Seattle Center, ZSE), Trish Gilbert (Vice President Emeritus), Andrew LeBovidge (Houston Center, ZHU retired), John Murdock (PHL), Alex Navarro (ZSE), Jamie Sanders (Centennial ATCT, APA), Jaymi Steinberg (ZDC), Tom Thompson (Indianapolis Center, ZID retired), and Michelle Trudeau (ZID retired). The 2027 IFATCA conference is scheduled for April in Kampala, Uganda.

Today, on International Women in Engineering Day, NATCA recognizes all the contributions and accomplishments from women engineers who are part of our Union. International Women in Engineering Day is celebrated each June 23rd and was first recognized in 2014 in the United Kingdom. It became an international day of acknowledgment in 2017. The day celebrates the contributions of women engineers in all career paths, especially–in the case of NATCA members–in aviation. The day is intended to encourage more girls and women to enter the engineering field. NATCA thanks all our Region X female engineers for the work you do daily to strengthen our Union and to maintain the safety of the National Airspace System.

To commemorate Pride Month, NATCA members, staff, and loved ones proudly represented our Union in the Capital Pride Parade in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, June 20. Parade organizers estimated around 700,000 individuals attended Capital Pride.

Pride Month is a time to reflect on the meaning of Pride, especially within the labor movement. The labor movement has a long history of fighting for the rights of all workers, including advocating for LGBTQ+ members. Labor unions are at their strongest when they ensure that fair treatment, respect, and equal opportunities extend to all working people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

By participating in events like the Capital Pride Parade, NATCA demonstrates its unwavering support for LGBTQ+ members and allies in our Union, in our communities, and in our workplaces. This collective action highlights the Union’s dedication to working together for a better, brighter future for all. Happy Pride!

NATCA would like to wish all the dads, caretakers, and father figures in our Union a Happy Father’s Day! NATCA is grateful for the time each of you sacrifice away from your loved ones in order to keep the National Airspace System safe. Because of your work and dedication, we have so much to celebrate on Father’s Day and every day.

On June 19, 1987, the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative for all air traffic controllers at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Over the years, our Union has thrived, and our collective voice has grown from a small choir to a booming symphony, representing 16 bargaining units covered by multiple agreements and more than 15,000 members.

As we celebrate NATCA's 39th anniversary, we reflect on nearly four decades of incredible accomplishments. Our NATCA brothers and sisters have met challenges along the way with collective strength, energy, and passion, all while building the remarkable unity and solidarity that are hallmarks of our great Union.

NATCA members consistently demonstrate exceptional skill and professionalism, proudly maintaining the safety and efficiency of our National Airspace System (NAS) despite chronic understaffing, mandatory overtime, outdated facilities and equipment, and government shutdowns. Our Union is resilient. NATCA continues to advocate for pay parity, maximum hiring, mental health support, stable funding, and modernization to give our members and the flying public the airspace system they deserve.

Happy 39th Anniversary, NATCA family! We’ve come a long way together, and we look forward to celebrating our 40th anniversary with you next year.

Friday marks Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day. The holiday commemorates the liberation of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, the final holdout of the Confederacy. This took place on June 19, 1865, two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. While Juneteenth has long been celebrated in the Black community, the day did not become a federal holiday until 2021.

You can learn more about the history of Juneteenth and the day’s cultural significance by visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Las Vegas TRACON (L30) FacRep Anthony Borgert recently had the opportunity to attend a legislative event hosted by U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, where Jimmy Kimmel was the featured speaker. The event provided a valuable opportunity to engage directly on issues impacting our workforce and to reinforce NATCA’s priorities.

During a conversation with Sen. Rosen, Borgert discussed local staffing levels and emphasized the ongoing operational strain facilities are experiencing. He also discussed the impact of government shutdowns, highlighting the uncertainty and stress placed on air traffic controllers who have been required to continue working without pay during funding lapses. Sen. Rosen appeared receptive and engaged on these issues, and it was a good opportunity to ensure NATCA’s perspective continues to be heard at the federal level.

NATCA continues to engage with elected officials to advocate for policies that support safe staffing levels, workforce stability and the long-term strength of the National Airspace System.

Hurricane season is now here, and NATCA wants to ensure that all members are prepared in the event a storm impacts you. The Disaster Response Committee (DRC) wants to remind all members that www.ready.gov is a resource with a variety of information to help you and your family help plan and prepare before any storm hits this summer. Another way to stay ahead is to ensure your address is up to date with NATCA so the DRC can help identify members in need – not just for hurricanes but for any disaster. If you want to help, either one time or through payroll deduction, you can learn more at: NATCA.ORG/DRC.