President Nick Daniels and FAA Administrator Michael Whittaker Sign Successor Agreement to “Light Blue” and the “Purple” Books

Today, NATCA President Nick Daniels and FAA Administrator Michael Whittaker signed the successor agreement to the Multi-Unit and Consolidated Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) (the “Light Blue” and the “Purple” books). This integrated CBA will be referred to as the “Indigo Book.” The Indigo Book was the product of limited negotiations that began in May of 2024 and concluded on Dec. 17, 2024, when the tentative agreement was ratified by the affected membership with 96.5% of the ballots being in favor of ratification. With today’s signatures, this voluntary agreement becomes effective immediately.

NATCA’s negotiating team consisted of Chief Negotiator Andrew LeBovidge (former NATCA Executive Vice President), NATCA Region X RVP Mark Rausch, NATCA Director of Labor Relations Nicole Vitale, Corey Glaze (NATCA ENM), Jordan Klein (NATCA N90), Lisen Minetti (NATCA EAC), and Ed Szczuka (NATCA ECE). “NATCA’s team was exceptionally dedicated, meticulous, and truly focused on securing the best possible Agreement for the membership,” said LeBovidge. “They poured their hearts and souls into the process, deftly working through complex issues during very trying circumstances.”

RVP Rausch echoed this sentiment. “These Leaders sacrificed personal time, overtime, time with family and loved ones for the greater good of our union, and we are grateful and appreciative of a job well done.” Rausch continued, “This new Agreement secured many positive gains for our membership, and we are grateful for the membership’s overwhelming support.”

President Daniels summed up the process succinctly. “Our Union constantly strives to ensure that our membership has the benefits, and the protections, of a solid voluntary agreement. This is certainly the case with this new Integrated Agreement and has never been as important as it is today. Our thanks to all who helped bring this to closure, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish in the future.”

The parties are finalizing the Integrated Agreement for publication. It is available online here.

Pictured, left to right: NATCA Dir. of Labor Relations Nicole Vitale, former NATCA EVP Andrew LeBovidge, NATCA President Nick Daniels, FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker, AHL-300 Chief Negotiator Vanessa Marzán-Hernández, FAA Executive Director of Labor and Employee Relations Kevin Androsian, FAA Legal Advisor José Ortiz