NATCA’s First Legislative Victory
As NATCA began to spread its wings after its June 19, 1987, certification, the founding members of the union continued to face issues from the Reagan Administration. While PATCO had been decertified, the issues that plagued the workforce remained. One problem was related to punitive actions against the workforce.
Steve Bell arrived at NATCA headquarters as President in August 1988. At the time, the Union was lobbying Congress on an issue that had fueled the initial organizing effort: the Federal Employees Liability Reform and Tort Compensation Act of 1988 (FELRTCA). A bill by Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., would immediately substitute the government for federal employees as the defendant in civil lawsuits.
