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"Play Nice"

Play Nice?

NATCA Representative
NATCA
Fri Feb 10, 2006 10:05 AM

Post Reply

I agree that it would be great if we all played "nice". However, even though we are all entitled to our opinions, it would be "nice" if when you are sharing YOUR opinion in a National Public Forum, you have your facts correct. If you must bloviate, at least be accurate.

What is my point? In my Agency, my Administrator is making false statements and accusations before Congress, which, could be violations of Title 18 if the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. She is supposed to know that the information that she presenting is accurate. Additionally, since her testamony is "PUBLIC RECORD" it should be accurate. If you look at the RECORD, you will find that the Agency constantly changes their story to fit their needs. These managers that comment on this forum are inaccurate. The problem, to the outsider who doesn't research the facts, continues to "spin" an innaccuracy. Just like the little boy who cried wolf; in this case it's the head of my Agency, and it affects 14000 ATCs.

Re: Play Nice?

Hr Specialist
DoD
Fri Feb 10, 2006 11:34 AM
Interesting rhetoric but no substance. What in the world are you talking about? The report of the independent auditor that verified the agency's figures that were compiled after the union said they were inaccurate?

Re: Play Nice?

ATCS
FAA
Sun Feb 19, 2006 9:46 PM
I believe that what the NATCA rep is refering to is what Mark Twain said. "There are three kinds of liars: Liars, Damn Liars and Statistics. The agency has been making statements like" 80% of our operating budget goes towards labor costs", and then following it with statements like the average controllers compensation is $166,00 a year" as if that is their salary. To many people it would seem that 80% of the FAA's budget is going towards controller compensation. But the operating budget is primarily for paying labor costs and is not the total budget. Controllers make up about 35% of the workforce and account for about 42% of the outlays of the operating budget. And the 166,000 figure includes benefits that increase the total cost of every gov't employee by 25-30% including ' HR Specialist'. By comparing apples and oranges the Administrator tries to mislead congress and the public.

However I do agree with Mr. Smith. These things can be discussed with civility and humor.

Re: Play Nice?

Investigator
OIG
Thu Mar 2, 2006 7:20 AM
I believe that "play nice" is synonymous with "conduct yourself in a professional manner."

Hats off to you, Ralph.

Play Nice

Engineer
DOE
Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:48 PM

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I agree with your philosophy and we should not go into the gutter with the comments we submit. Additionally, it would be much more credible if readers did not make sweeping conclusions about the entire government of the United States and/or about ALL federal employees within the text of their comments. We all have unique circumstances relative to our jobs, the agency we work for, and how we feel about our particular situation. Not too many people out there tend to know something about every federal employee. So please don't say that you do.

Play Nice

HR Specialist
DoC
Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:50 PM

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It would be nice to play nice. I remember the days only 6 short years ago when we accomplished so much by playing nice on partnership.

But the culture is dictated by those in charge who scoff at playing nice--sort of like that crazy Karate teacher in the Karate Kid movie who beat up his own students for playing nice.

This government is just full of crazy Karate teachers and many of us are tired of being beaten up for playing nice. I think many of us are ready to switch schools. :-))

Play Nice

Senior Construction Representative
Corps of Engineers
Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:57 PM

Post Reply

Mr. Smith,
Congratulations to you and your company on having the foresight to edit or outright refuse to print inappropriate submissions. No matter what an individual thinks about the actions of those in any particular elected position, all persons should remember the individual is elected by a majority vote and should respect the office if not the individual occupying that office. In the US military, enlisted personnel are taught in basic training to recognize and salute all commissioned officers. Though one may not respect the person wearing the rank for any number of personal reasons, it is mandatory that you respect the rank. Perhaps our western society could learn something from military basic training.

Re: Play Nice

HR Specialist
SSA
Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:36 AM
Okay - I agree that we should all "play nicely" & watch what we say...but I do have two comments for your response: 1) Majority Vote? Not in the 2000 election, my friend. 2) Respect for Rank? Friendly fire knocked out more than one officer that didn't listen to the common sense & field savvy of the men below them.
Let's face it, there has to be respect for both the office AND the man/woman who fills it; a tall order, these days.

Yes - everyone play nice

IT Specialist
USDA
Fri Feb 10, 2006 1:07 PM

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Starting with Congress and all the way down the line - people need to be respected. Name-calling, guilt by association and other tactics need to stop. We all need to play nice and teach our young ones to do the same. This deterioration of our nations character needs to stop.

Re: Yes - everyone play nice

ATC
FAA
Mon Feb 13, 2006 6:43 PM
Respect is earned not given. Challenging what the leaders say or do is not disrespectable, but the responsible thing to do as a federal employee when a leader does not act honorably. In some portions of the gov't there exists a significant disconnect between the upper levels and the field employee who carries out the mission.

play nice

HR Spec
FAA
Fri Feb 10, 2006 1:07 PM

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Unfortunately some ATC's (not all)believe the rhetoric of the NATCA leaders. The gravy train is slowing to a stop and NATCA will say and do just about anything to stave that off. The millions of dollars in their war chest will be used to rent as many Senators and Congressmen as possible to sway things their way. Hopefuly that will not happen and hopefully the FAA will be free of the NATCA contract soon so that the FAA can finally run the agency effeciently and effectively.

Playing Nice

HR
Navy
Fri Feb 10, 2006 1:07 PM

Post Reply

Thank you, Ralph. I agree with everything you said.

Re: Playing Nice

engineering tech
vha
Fri Feb 10, 2006 5:12 PM
AMEN! I wholeheartedly agree....just remember what "THUMPER SAID"
Total Comments: 43
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