PASS Official Denied Acess to FAA Facility
- Details
- Published: July 18, 2013
ATLANTA, GA — The Professional Airways Systems Specialists (PASS), AFL-CIO today called the actions of an FAA supervisor “deplorable and unprofessional.” The supervisor, Daniel Vallish, denied PASS Representative and Regional Assistant Michael Riso access to the Atlantic Operation Control Center (AOCC) Operations Floor where bargaining unit employees work. Riso’s visit to the facility on August 15 was coordinated several weeks prior with the acting facility manager.
According to PASS, Vallish summoned two FAA security personnel to remove him from the Operations Floor in an attempt to “intimidate the bargaining unit at the AOCC.” After being escorted from the Operations Floor, Riso contacted PASS Regional Vice President, Dave Spero who contacted FAA officials in Atlanta. The officials resolved the matter and confirmed to Spero that “the union is always welcome in the facilities.”
Upon receiving this guidance, Riso returned to the facility and was given full access to the floor, including a meeting room to gather with employees after working hours. However, when he tried to return the following day, Riso was informed by security that Vallish left explicit instructions to deny Riso, an FAA employee, access to the entire compound unless accompanied by an AOCC representative.
“Morale is already at an all-time low for these FAA employees and the last thing we need is a manager who is determined to keep it that way by displaying his iron fist to employees at the facility,” said Riso. “Mr. Vallish’s behavior toward this workforce is unwarranted and unacceptable. When I was finally granted access to the facility, I could see that employees were distressed. His blatant disregard for our workers strengthens our resolve to do everything in our power to ensure a safe, fair and professional environment for the bargaining unit at the AOCC.”
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PASS represents more than 11,000 employees of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense who install, maintain, support and certify air traffic control and national defense equipment, inspect and oversee the commercial and general aviation industries, develop flight procedures and perform quality analyses of the aviation systems. For more information, visit the PASS website at www.passnational.org.