The Origin of Lobby Weeks
1993: NATCA’s First Lobby Week
Background: NATCA’s first national legislative week began on Sept. 20, 1993. At the time, more than 250 members participated in the inaugural “Lobby Week.” The Union launched the program to raise legislative awareness and provide an opportunity for members to meet their congressional representatives.
Notable Issues: NATCA members descended on Capitol Hill in support of H.R. 2663, also known as The Air Traffic Controller Incentive and Retention Act, which included premium pay for working Saturdays and boosted the controller operational differential from 5 to 15 percent. As a result of our members’ legislative activism, the number of co-sponsors for the legislation increased from 10 to 41.
While the bill was ultimately not enacted, it was a promising first effort by NATCA to influence the legislative process and began a yearly tradition of activism on Capitol Hill.
