Celebrating NATCA’s 37th Anniversary

As we celebrate NATCA’s 37th anniversary on June 19, we reflect on nearly four decades of incredible accomplishments by our Union. 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 proudly represents the greatest workforce of air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals in the history of the industry, and we have grown to become one of the most effective labor unions in the federal sector.

On this date in 1987, the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) certified NATCA as the exclusive bargaining representative of all air traffic controllers at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Over the years, our Union has thrived, and our collective voice has risen from a small choir to a booming symphony, representing nearly 20,000 bargaining unit employees covered by multiple agreements, with more than 15,000 members.

NATCA’s members consistently demonstrate incredible skill and professionalism, proudly maintaining the safety and efficiency of our National Airspace System (NAS) despite chronic FAA understaffing and the resulting mandatory overtime, outdated facilities and antiquated equipment, and regular threats of government shutdowns. Our Union has advocated relentlessly for increased hiring, stable funding, and modern facilities and equipment[1] , and shown tremendous dedication and generosity in helping fellow members affected by natural disasters.

Happy 37th Anniversary, #NATCAfamily! We’ve come a long way together, and we look forward to proudly celebrating this and other milestones with you. Our Union is strong, our member-led activism is at an all-time high, and together, we will continue to accomplish amazing things.