Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) Ratify New Contract

PHOTO: PASS President Dave Spero & FAA administrator Mike Whitaker. Courtesy of PASS.

The Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have signed a new a collective bargaining agreement in the Flight Standards and Aircraft Certification organizations. The union represents 11,000 workers, including 29 members in Maine, most of whom work at the FAA’s Portland Flight Standards District Office. PASS members ensure that our flight safety rules are followed and pilots and air traffic controllers get the data they need to protect both passengers and people on the ground.

“I’m proud of the work our team did at the bargaining table,” PASS National President Dave Spero said in a statement. “It was challenging at times but in the end, we achieved a strong collective bargaining agreement that stressed recruitment and retention, as well as fair work rules, for employees who are critical to carrying out the FAA’s mission. I want to thank our members for their support and patience during the process."

Under terms of the agreement, unionized employees in the FAA's Flight Standards and Aircraft Certification organizations will receive a $5,000 cash bonus and will maintain the option to work in the office just two days a week.

A PASS spokesperson said that about half of the Maine aviation safety specialists in Maine are PASS members, but the union is hoping that the new contract will help increase membership. In the meantime, PASS remains concerned that another potential federal government shutdown just before Christmas could furlough its members as last month Congress only agreed to continue funding the government until December 20.