NWP “Hot Sheet” Week of 6-9-08 and 6-16-08
NWP Reps/Members,
For at least the past eight (8) years, NATCA has been shouting from the highest mountain about the impending ATC staffing crisis to the Congress, the flying public and this Administration.
It should have been no mystery to the FAA and the Administration that on August 5, 1981 President Reagan fired 11,345 air traffic controllers and then began hiring an unprecedented number of military controllers, people off the street, etc. to replace the thousands of controllers who were fired. Utilizing first grade math we are able to solve this easiest of math problems, 1981 + 25 years = 2006 (Controllers are eligible to retire at any age after 25 years).
Also, if it takes an average new developmental 3-5 years to become fully certified then we can solve yet another simple mathematical problem that the FAA should have considered in determining when to start hiring controllers to deal with the retirement wave 2006-5 = 2001. Therefore, if the FAA and this Administration wanted to be fully prepared for the impending ATC staffing crisis then they should have started hiring back in 2001 so that the new developmentals would be certified and ready to replace the veterans that would be leaving in 2006.
Well, we all know what the FAA did with ATC hiring leading up to 2006. They sat back and ridiculed NATCA, claiming that we had some kind of a crystal ball that could predict the future of ATC staffing. They continually refused to ask for the right budget from Congress year after year and didn’t feel that there would be any ATC staffing crisis. They kept using the phrase, “We will have the right number of people in the right place and at the right time.”
Now, we can fast forward to 2008. We are in midst of an absolute staffing crisis which has been worsened by the imposed work/pay rules on air traffic controllers. Many of our veteran controllers are calling it quits soon after they are eligible to retire. Some are retiring when they can’t get their leave approved or when they are subjected to retaliation or disciplinary action. Some are retiring because the stress has become unbearable and some are retiring since they are seeing their health deteriorate due to the constant fatigue and stress placed on them by having to work six day work weeks and ten hour days. New Developmentals and new CPC’s (Certified Professional Controllers) are also resigning in record numbers since they can’t afford to live on a pay scale that has been gutted by 30 percent. Many are leaving this country and placing themselves in jeopardy by going to Iraq or Afghanistan as an ATC contractor just to make ends meet.
Many of the issues that we predicted would happen have happened!! Just take a look:
“IG criticizes FAA's training of air controllers
The government is hiring so many new air traffic controllers to replace departing veterans that it cannot efficiently train them, an inspector general reported Tuesday.”
“REUTERS: US FAA using more inexperienced controllers-watchdog
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has failed over four years to fill gaps in how it trains its air traffic controllers and is placing greater numbers of inexperienced personnel at key facilities, a government watchdog said on Tuesday.
A report by the Transportation Department Inspector General found the number of veteran controllers transferring from quieter centers to busier ones dropped by a third between April 2004 and December 2008.
This departure from past practice is compounded by the acceleration of controller retirements.”
“ABC NEWS: Report Finds Inexperience in Air Traffic Control; DOT Finds 22 Percent of Air Traffic Control Facilities Exceed Limit on Trainees
Flying into Las Vegas? You might be surprised to find out that half of the air traffic controllers working there are still in training.
Inexperienced air traffic controllers are a growing problem as more controllers retire and the Federal Aviation Administration scrambles to hire and train new ones, according to a report released today by the Department of the Transportation Inspector-General.
Today's report finds that the FAA's hiring process "is now outpacing the capabilities of many air traffic facilities to efficiently process and train new hires." It also concludes that there's such a backlog of trainees at some locations that the new hires sit around for months before they can truly begin their critical training.”
I just hope that one of our predictions doesn’t come true and that is the very strong possibility of a catastrophic accident due to the increased amount of stress and fatigue placed upon on our nation’s air traffic controllers.
Finally, does NATCA have a crystal ball? No, but what we do have is common sense and experience in handling the busiest and most complex ATC system in the entire world. Who should you believe?? Well, here is what one reporter wrote on who to believe….
“INDIANAPOLIS STAR: FAA gives wrong number of air traffic controllers
In a May 29 article, the Federal Aviation Administration accused air traffic controllers of "manipulating statistics" to drum up safety concerns. In reality, it is the FAA that provided The Star with misleading numbers of controllers.”
Ham
NWP RVP
· I have received several reports from controllers at SCT’s Empire Area who have been working mandatory six day work weeks for close to six months. The only break in the six day work weeks is when they are out of the facility on prime time vacation leave. This is a very dangerous trend that will increase fatigue and stress and leave the system very vulnerable to a catastrophic mistake.
· I sent an email to ATO COO Hank Krakowski and requested to have a follow up to our Wednesday May 28, 2008 telcon/meeting regarding SCT staffing.
· I talked to BUR Facility Rep Kevin Sherwood about several disciplinary letters handed out at BUR; one which is aimed at Kevin himself. We will be helping Kevin and the BUR local in dealing with these issues. As such, I asked Mike Hull to drive to the BUR Local meeting to discuss the less than desirable work environment at BUR and listen to what the members had to say.
· Monday and Tuesday June 9/10, we held a LR telcon with the NWP LR Team. We discussed the arbitration requirements for the NWP, arbitration preparation, our current prioritized arbitration list, and Mike Hull’s LR Chronicles #19 which deals with how expedited arbitrations will be handled in the Western Pacific Region. We also discussed the need to have good, solid communications with the facilities assigned to them as well as continuing with the LR Advocate visiting their respective facilities, especially when a new Facility Rep takes over.
· I am very happy with our LR team structure and wanted to take this opportunity to thank Mike Hull and the entire LR team for their terrific work that they accomplish on a daily basis. They certainly make it easier for me to do my job without an Alternate Regional Vice President.
· I talked with Bryan Baker, L30 Facility Rep regarding a recent spike in Operational Errors and “Net Jet” procedures.
· Mike Hull worked with Eric Carter, Rich Burton, and Dale Wright regarding Tower controllers ability to call traffic utilizing radar.
· A failure of the FTI line (Federal Telecommunications Infrastructure) at ZOA causes all wind data to be lost for ATOP and conflict probe is rendered useless. Controllers were required to manually compute the variances in the pilots reported times and then adjust flights to ensure that there were no conflicts. What makes matters worse is that many of the newly certified controllers who have never worked traffic in a manual environment have to learn this type of manual calculation on the fly. With the large numbers of experienced controllers leaving the system, this problem gets worse on a daily basis.
· Once again, I have asked FAA management to work with us to develop a comprehensive ATOP catastrophic failure plan so that we can deal with ATOP/FTI outages. So far, the FAA is adamant that there is no need for a plan and has continually refused to discuss this issue with us. Let’s hope that this latest outage serves as a reminder to all concerned entities that any system is vulnerable to failures making redundancies and contingency plans a necessity and not a luxury.
· Mike Hull worked with STS Facility Rep Jana Pitre on interim statements in an Operational Error/Operational Deviation investigation.
· Once again, it appears that the NATCA crystal ball predicted critical staffing at some of the busiest ATC facilities in California. I wanted to thank Senator Feinstein for her excellent leadership and concern for aviation safety in California. California is truly blessed to have two Senators (Senator Boxer and Senator Feinstein) who genuinely care about aviation safety.
“DAILY BREEZE (Torrance, Calif.): Audit to look at LAX air traffic staff
The U.S. Department of Transportation will launch an audit to determine whether there's a shortage of air traffic controllers at Los Angeles International Airport and two radar control facilities in California, officials announced Friday.
The DOT agreed to conduct the study after Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., called for an examination of staffing levels and training measures at LAX, the Southern California Terminal Radar Approach Control facility in San Diego and the Northern California Terminal Radar Approach Control Center in Sacramento.
"We must do all that we can to ensure that the skies over California are safe," Feinstein said. "California has some of the busiest airspace in the world, and it's critical that our air traffic is closely monitored and staffed sufficiently."
· Here is a snap shot of staffing at LAX Tower:
LAX currently has 33 certified controllers working on the posted watch schedule. One controller is on administrative duties due to a recent heart attack and will likely not return to ATC duties. One more is on administrative duties dealing with a serious health condition and will likely not return to ATC duties. Another controller is recovering from back surgery and will not return until after the summer. Meanwhile, the FAA will count all three of these people as certified controllers who are available for ATC duties!! I am delighted that the DOT Inspector General will be auditing staffing at LAX and will be able to see for themselves how local management has manipulated the numbers to serve their needs. LAX has six (6) developmentals today. Four (4) are certified on the ground control positions. Being that LAX is the fourth busiest airport in the world; we are not sure how many of the new developmentals will actually fully certify at LAX. LAX has four (4) controllers eligible for retirement. Two (2) will likely be gone by the end of summer.
Making matters worse, the FAA has created two more management positions at LAX that they will be filling very soon. They will most likely take those two bodies out of the LAX controller work force. When they do, LAX will have twenty five (25) support staff and management for 33 controllers!!
· Meanwhile at Tucson Tracon (U90), they have eleven (11) CPC's with 2 on Family sick leave for a birth of their child. They are authorized 24 (FAA staffing: Min- 20 Max-24)!
· Reno Tower/Tracon is currently staffed with ten (10) CPC’s, one is out with a heart attack, and nine (9) new developmentals (1 of the 9 is still in OKC at the FAA Academy). One of the nine new developmentals is a CPC-In Training, although he doesn’t have any previous radar experience. The FAA staffing range for RNO is Min-20 Max-24.
· Whether we look at the FAA’s minimum number or the maximum number, there is no getting around the fact that the FAA doesn’t have the “right number of people in the right place and at the right time” at many of our ATC facilities across the country. Meanwhile, the FAA continues to tell the Congress and the American flying public that the situation is under control and that they are well on pace to meet their hiring quotas.
· Any members who are planning on retiring from the FAA, please remember to sign up as a NATCA retired member. It’s easy and cheap. The fee is $35/annually. Just fill out and fax to the number at the bottom of the attached form or contact Mickela for assistance. http://www.natca.org/members/membership-forms.msp
· Recently, one of our facility reps asked the question whether a member who had filed a grievance is some how barred from discussing or seeking resolution of their grievance by contacting their Congressman or Senator. The short answer: Absolutely not. I would recommend that you advise your member of Congress about the grievance and serve them with a copy. Otherwise, there is no issue with a Congressional inquiry on your behalf.
· Recently, a member on the NATCA BBS was wondering whether our former NATCA President Barry Krasner and our Chief Contract Negotiator had a different strategy to deal with the current imposed conditions of employment. I felt that Barry’s response was outstanding and with his permission, I would like to share it with you;
“There is no magic bullet here. We are the victims of a vindictive management and a Union busting White House. We are in a position to scratch our way back and for those who remember, we have been here before. We may win in court and we may win in Congress but our best bet to win is to stay unified, act like a Union, and don't let them split us apart. Regardless of the length of the fight we need to be here for each other for the long haul because your benevolent employer certainly isn't. I for one will be retiring next month but nothing will change my resolve, nothing will dampen my spirit, I will not fade away. As I said at the last Convention, "this time it's personal.”
· The National Executive Board is looking at revising the Convention subsidies. Darrel Meachum, NSW RVP and Howard Blankenship, NCE RVP will be working on a proposal for the NEB. As written, very few of our smaller locals will see any subsidies due in large part to the time in between Conventions and rising airfare costs.
· Garth Koleszar, ZLA Facility Rep/LR Rep, and OSHA Lead worked with Scott Conde regarding mold testing at ZOA.
· I worked with Scott Conde and Executive Vice President Paul Rinaldi regarding some new developmentals at ZOA that did not submit their dues reimbursement forms.
· Since the FAA has yet to provide us with a list of those that have submitted SF-1188’s to quit the Union, Mickela has sent a list created by our membership department on those whose dues are in arrears for 45 days or more to the affected facilities. Please review the lists and if you have any questions contact Mickela. Some on the list are folks who have retired, resigned, or promoted to the Dark Side.
· I would like to thank NSW RVP Darrel Meachum for his work in ensuring that the majority of our ATC facilities can have AED’s (Automated External Defibrillators), and local or regional mgmt can purchase one. However, the FAA program office is only required to pay for it at facilities that have 10 personnel or more assigned. That's counting everyone; the controllers, traffic management, supervisors, staff, ATM, PASS, etc.
· I conducted a telcon with Western Terminal Director Kathryn Vernon, here are some of the issues we discussed:
o The security of the SEE parking situation,
o SFO fumes,
o STS ‘Weingarten’ meeting and whether the Facility Rep is allowed to talk,
o BUR Evaluation team report and changing the color on the run down patch,
o LGB developmentals visit to SCT,
o No dish soap at LGB,
o OAK Towers and members being directed to travel between towers without any compensation,
o Hardship of ZJX member to HCF and
o Grant Thornton visiting SBA.
· Mike Hull and I worked with Scott Conde, ZOA Facility Rep/NWP LR Rep and Mickela to set up a one-day Basic Labor Relations Class at Oakland Center. This class is open to any NATCA representative/member, however, space is limited.
· The class will be held at ZOA and will take place on August 19th. It will be from 0700-1500, and will be held in room 2025B.
· You do not need ANY prior knowledge of LR to attend this class.
PLEASE CONTACT SCOTT CONDE (ZOANATCA@PACBELL.NET) NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, TO LET HIM KNOW IF YOU WILL BE ATTENDING THE ONE-DAY TRAINING. HE WILL NEED TO GIVE YOUR NAME TO SECURITY FOR ADMITTANCE TO ZOA.
******BRING YOUR FAA CREDENTIALS****
· The Western Pacific region will host a five (5) region combined regional membership meeting (WP, GL, CE, NE, NM) in San Diego on March 23-25, 2009.
· I got some currency at Los Angeles Center on Friday June 13, 2008 and Saturday June 21, 2008 and delegated the official time to NWP LR Lead Mike Hull. I worked a Saturday day shift so a co-worker of mine in Area E could attend a friends wedding.
· Mike Hull worked with NATCA National LR Representative Kevin Sills to revise our arbitration schedule now that the FAA has begun scheduling cases again.
· There will be a retirement seminar in Las Vegas on August 1, 2008 from 8 am to 4 pm at the Las Vegas Marriot Suites. The flyer for the retirement seminar can be viewed by going to our regional website at http://nwp.natca.net, then look under the “Membership Meeting” tab; or just click on this hyperlink: http://nwp.natca.net/Documents/Membership_Meetings/Las_Vegas_Retirement_Seminar_8-08.pdf
· In response to AFL-CIO President Sweeney’s May 2 memo regarding the Union Veterans Leadership Council, NATCA has appointed the following individuals as our representatives:
o Union Officer/Leadership Representative: Hamid Ghaffari (USMC), NATCA Western Pacific Regional Vice President (hghaffari@natca.net)
o Staff Representative: Barry Krasner (USN), NATCA Executive Director (Bkrasner@natcadc.org) The Marines and the Navy working together!
· The ATO is in the process of making some changes to their structure. This is what they plan to do:
Add a Senior Vice President for NextGen and Operations planning, Senior Vice President for Operations, Senior Vice President for Strategy and Performance, Vice President for Technical Training, and create a smaller executive council. It appears that the newly created position of Senior Vice President for Operations will oversee the following Vice Presidents: Service Center, Technical Training, Terminal, Technical Operations, Enroute and Oceanic, and System Operations.
· Mike Hull, Kevin Sills, and John Paiva work with an employee regarding an adverse action case that led to his ultimate retirement from the FAA.
· I worked with Tony Yushinsky, Mike Hull, and Bob Taylor on finalizing a date for the web-based training course beta test. We plan to administer the FIRST NATCA web-based training course to two (2) members from each region on July 7, 2008. Following the beta test, we will go over the results and the input by the participants and get the program ready for use. Our goal is to have all individuals who plan to attend the Basic Facility Rep course take the web-based training course prior to attending the class. This will prevent the attendees from feeling overwhelmed and give them an opportunity to have a lot of time for questions and role play at the class rather than just pure academics.
· I talked to a rep at ZLA who was preparing to represent a member in a Weingarten meeting dealing with the use of Government Credit Cards. Please remember that Government Cards are for official Government travel only. Do not use the card for anything other than official government travel as you may be subject to disciplinary action. If you have any questions regarding the use of the Government Credit Card, please contact your Facility Rep, LR Rep, NWP LR lead, or me and we will be glad to help you out.
· I received a terrific local update from BFL Facility Rep, Alex Cisneros; thanks.
· I talked with Steve Palmer, PHX Facility Rep regarding excused absence for a change in duty station, the watch schedule, etc.
· I have asked Western Enroute to work on an update for ZLA members on how they plan to implement the ZLA ATC-12 settlement agreement and what members can expect in the coming months.
· Scott Conde, ZOA Facility Rep/NWP LR Rep sent me an update on his and Jamis Nuss’ participation in door to door canvassing on behalf of Congressman McNerney. I would like to thank Scott and Jamie for giving up their free time to support those who support us along with the countless number of other reps such as Noel Kingston and Steve McCoy who are supporting those who support us.
· I will be on Annual Leave in Southern Oregon (Gold Beach) from Saturday June 28, 2008- Sunday July 6, 2008 and may not have access to good cell/email coverage. In my absence, Mike Hull will be the acting Regional Vice President and will be on official time for every day except Monday June 30, 2008 for which he is scheduled for mandatory overtime. Scott Conde, ZOA Facility Rep/NWP LR Rep will be fielding all calls on Monday while Mike is on overtime. I will send a notice at the end of this week reiterating this fact.
· In order to help us understand the reasons for new developmental attrition, please use the Grievance Automated Tracking System to track this data. We will be sharing the results of this data with the Congress and the Media.
· The following are the simple steps needed in order to enter the data on the GATS:
1. Login to the GATS (http://grievance.natca.net)
2. Click on "New hire losses" in the bottom right
3. Type a few letters of the last name of the developmental who is leaving or has left the Agency in the "Search for last name containing" field.
4. Click "Go" to the right. The "Select BUE" drop down will now include BUE’s from your facility only with that letter sequence in their last name
5. Select the developmental
6. Select a reason from the drop down, date of separation from the calendar pop-up, and enter a description.
7. Click "Submit"
8. View statistics and the data listing below. You will be able to download the data to Excel with a link in the upper right of the "New hire losss report" section.