[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 72 (Thursday, June 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 AMENDING TITLE 49, UNITED STATES CODE

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                               speech of

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 6, 2006

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support putting a stop to the 
Federal Aviation Administration's abusive and dishonest tactics in 
negotiating a new contract with the nation's air traffic controllers.
  Under an unprecedented interpretation of current law, the FAA is 
claiming the ability to declare an impasse in negotiations and impose 
its terms. But such a unilateral action is patently wrong and unfair. 
It's long past time for Congress to return the parties to an equal 
footing and get them back to the negotiating table.
  I hope that my vote for H.R. 5449 will send a strong message. The 
agency ought to cease misrepresenting controllers' salaries. If, as the 
FAA claims, salaries are truly exorbitant, then the agency shouldn't 
hesitate to enter binding arbitration. The FAA's desire to avoid 
arbitration speaks volumes about the weakness of its arguments.
  Working under incredibly stressful and difficult conditions, air 
traffic controllers protect the safety of millions of Americans. I hope 
the FAA will follow Congress' lead in affording them the respect they 
deserve.




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