Section 1. The provisions of this Article shall apply to employees who are unsuccessful in the air traffic control training program.
Section 2. Developmental terminal and en route employees who are unsuccessful in training as a result of withdrawing from training during their initial facility assignment, and have completed their probationary period, may be given an opportunity at a lower level facility if a vacancy exists. These employees will be provided a list of up to five (5) facilities of which the employee may select for reassignment.
All other developmental terminal and en route employees who are unsuccessful in training and have completed their probationary period may be given an opportunity at a lower level facility if a vacancy exists. These employees will be provided a list of facilities of which the employee may select for reassignment.
Developmental FSS employees who are unsuccessful in training and have completed their probationary period may be given an opportunity at another facility if a vacancy exists. These employees will be provided a list of facilities of which the employee may select for reassignment.
En route developmentals fitting the criteria above will attend the Academy for terminal training.
Section 3. If an employee, who was previously facility certified, transfers and fails to achieve full certification in his/her new facility, he/she will be provided a list of facilities for which he/she qualifies and where a vacancy exists. The employee will select one for reassignment. This list may include the employee's previous facility if a vacancy exists.
An employee failing to reach facility certification at two (2) consecutive facilities, whether due to failing training or withdrawing prior to certification, may be eligible for retention. After achieving facility certification and entering a new assignment requiring training, the employee commences training with a “clean slate.”
Section 4. Employee reassignments made in accordance with the provisions of this Article shall not be eligible to receive any permanent change of station (PCS) benefits.
Section 5. Retention decisions and placement determinations with regard to Air Traffic Control Specialists who have been deemed as unsuccessful in facility training shall be done in accordance with HRPM EMP 1.14a (ATCS Employment Policy). In addition, HRPM EMP 1.14a governs National Employee Services Team (NEST) activities. The NEST will be maintained to make retention recommendations and facility type and level determinations for bargaining unit employees who are unsuccessful in facility training. The Union’s designee(s) to the NEST shall be granted official time to participate in NEST activities, including travel.