First, thank you for the outstanding response to our ongoing email campaign. Your engagement is making a difference. Lawmakers are already paying attention, and several congressional offices have noted the volume and impact of our messages. That momentum is powerful, and now we need to take the next step.
What’s Happening:
This week, the House Oversight Committee advanced a budget proposal that includes serious cuts to federal employee benefits. If passed, it would:
Eliminate the FERS Special Retirement Supplement,
Require increased employee contributions to FERS with no corresponding increase in pension benefits,
And potentially change pension calculations in ways that would reduce your retirement income.
These proposals would directly affect your paycheck, retirement planning, and overall financial security.
What You Can Do:
We are launching a letter-writing campaign to Congress, and we need your help. Personal letters have a strong impact. They are read, they are logged, and they influence decision-making far more than form letters or mass emails.
I will be delivering these letters in person at the convention next Wednesday. To be included, I must receive your letter no later than 3:00 PM on Tuesday.
What to Say:
Keep it personal and real. A few sentences are all it takes. Consider including:
How losing the FERS supplement would affect your ability to retire.
How an increase in contributions would affect your take-home pay and family budget.
How long you have served the public and how this proposal undermines that service.
Why these changes would hurt your future and morale.
Example:
“I have worked for the federal government for over 15 years. The FERS Special Retirement Supplement was a critical part of my retirement plan. Eliminating it would delay my retirement by several years and create financial hardship after decades of service. This proposal would drastically change the deal I signed up for.”
How to Submit:
Type your letter in a Word document, a PDF, or even just in the body of an email.
Send it directly to me before 3:00 PM on Tuesday.
If you’re unsure what to write or short on time, just reply to this email and I’ll help you put something together. We just need your voice in the mix.
Why It Matters:
Members of Congress respond to personal stories and volume. When enough people speak up, they listen. We have already seen the power of your voices in the email campaign, and now we need to build on it.
Thank you again for showing up, staying engaged, and standing together. Your involvement matters, and your story matters.
New Recruitment/Rentention MOU
By now, you’ve probably all heard about the new Recruitment and Retention MOU. This agreement represents real progress, especially in the context of the current administration’s approach to federal employee compensation.
Why This is a Win:
This incentive package includes a bonus for Academy Graduates, one of our profession’s least compensated groups. This bonus will provide immediate financial relief to those just entering the field, helping them get settled while they take on the monumental responsibility of becoming the next generation of controllers.
Additionally, this package acknowledges the need for the Agency to retain experienced controllers during a time of massive turnover. These measures will help keep experienced controllers around longer, making sure they can pass on their expertise and skills to the next wave of trainees. This will help prevent the system from hemorrhaging talent and ensure that training programs continue to thrive.
A Step in the Right Direction:
While this agreement isn’t the final answer, it is a major step forward in recognizing the critical value of air traffic controllers. We still have a long way to go to ensure that our profession is compensated correctly and supported, but this package shows that our efforts are paying off.
A Thought to Consider:
As the saying goes, “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” This is a good deal, a step forward in the right direction, and we should celebrate it as such. While we continue to fight for more, we cannot afford to turn away from progress simply because it isn't everything we’ve ever dreamed of. This is something we’ve earned, and we will build on it.
In solidarity,
Amanda Sizemore
Facility Representative, ZSE NATCA