Code of Conduct
PURPOSE
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association, AFL-CIO (NATCA) is committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment, regardless of an individual’s race, ethnicity, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, ancestry, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law. As such, NATCA will not tolerate discriminatory, harassing, or otherwise unacceptable behavior in the workplace or at any of its activities, events or meetings. In this effort, NATCA adopts the following Code of Conduct, and expects its staff, its members, its leadership and any other participants in NATCA activities, events, or meetings, to abide by it.
DEFINITIONS
A. Discrimination
It is discrimination to make any decision or judgment based on another person’s race, ethnicity, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, ancestry, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law.
B. Harassment
Harassment consists of unwelcome verbal, visual, or physical conduct that is based on another person’s race, ethnicity, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, ancestry, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law. It may include, but is not limited to, actions such as the use of epithets, slurs, negative stereotyping, jokes, or threatening, intimidating or hostile acts that relate to sex, race, age, disability, or other protected categories. Harassment also may include written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility toward an individual or group based on protected characteristics, whether that material is sent by email, or placed on walls, bulletin boards, computer screens or other devices, or elsewhere on the premises of an activity, event, or meeting.
C. Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment can involve unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. It can involve conduct by a person of either gender toward a person of the same or opposite gender.
EXPECTED BEHAVIOR
NATCA expects its staff, its members, its leadership and any other participants at NATCA activities, events, or meetings to:
- Respect others and their views
- Recognize and value individual differences
- Not engage in aggressive, bullying, or intimidating behavior
- Not engage in discriminatory or harassing behavior
UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR
This Code of Conduct is not intended to restrict free and open debate, but rather is concerned with preventing unacceptable behavior, as detailed below. Unacceptable behavior includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Discriminatory or harassing speech or actions, including cyber-bullying or cyber-harassment, in the NATCA workplace or at any NATCA meeting or event, including all related activities
- Harmful or offensive verbal or written comments or visual images related to race, ethnicity, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, ancestry, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law
- Inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in work or public spaces
- Bullying or stalking
- Harassing photography or recording
- Uninvited sexual attention or contact
- Physical assault (including uninvited touching or groping)
- Real or implied threat of physical harm
IF YOU EXPERIENCE UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR
Prior to the start of any large NATCA event or meeting (e.g. regional meeting, convention, CFS, or NiW), attendees will be informed of this Code of Conduct, and a NATCA staff person or other official to whom complaints may be directed will be identified for all attendees. If you experience or witness unacceptable behavior, as defined under this Code of Conduct, please inform the designated person. If you are NATCA staff and covered by the ONEU-NATCA CBA, you may also report to your supervisor, the NATCA General Counsel, or the NATCA Executive Vice President, pursuant to Article 57 of the Parties’ CBA.
NATCA takes these complaints seriously and any individual engaged in discriminatory and/or harassing conduct will be subject to disciplinary action, which may include exclusion from the event or meeting, up to and including termination of employment, or expulsion from NATCA, as appropriate.
If needed or requested, NATCA staff and/or officials will help complainants contact security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist complainants to feel safe for the duration of the activity, event, or meeting. In instances involving allegations of assault or other criminal activity, NATCA shall advise the complainant to file a report with the appropriate law enforcement agency but will not pressure complainant to file such report. The NATCA official will also make NATCA bargaining unit employee complainants aware of their rights under Article 57 of the CBA.
Any complaint brought under this Code of Conduct will be treated confidentially to the extent that it is possible to do so while properly assessing the situation. NATCA will take all appropriate steps to ensure that the complainant is no longer subject to the unacceptable behavior. NATCA shall thoroughly investigate any allegations or complaints of discriminatory conduct, including sexual harassment, when properly notified and shall take corrective action to stop any and all such conduct found to be occurring.
NATCA will not tolerate retaliation against any individual who complains of unacceptable behavior under this Code of Conduct. NATCA will take any steps necessary and appropriate to ensure that retaliation does not occur and, if there is reason to believe that retaliation has occurred, NATCA will immediately take all necessary and appropriate action to stop the retaliation.
If you want to report an incident or have any issues during the event, please feel free to send an email to: [email protected]
