NWP Reps/Members:
This past week, Mike Hull and I visited Honolulu for a Basic Labor Relations Class on Sunday February 22, 2009 followed by visits to Hilo Tower (ITO), Maui Tower (OGG), and Honolulu Combined Facility (HCF).
Sunday morning started with Mike and I working with close to twenty (20) members from HCF, OGG, and ITO in attendance for the basic LR class. This was an absolutely amazing site to have this many members want to learn more about their rights and their Union. Most of the members in attendance were new to the FAA and some were still serving their probationary period (first year of Federal Civil Service).
The class promptly started at 9am and we covered issues such as:
Introduction to LR and the Importance of Documentation
· Meetings with Management
· Training Review Boards
· Security Investigations
· Probationary Employees
· Know Your Rights
· Reporting Requirements
· Think Before You Act
Class participation was fantastic and it appears that we have a very bright future ahead of us with such bright and energetic members such as these fine women and men.
On Monday morning, Mike and I boarded a Hawaiian Airlines flight over to Hilo Tower to meet with ITO Facility Rep Josh Cooper. Josh was on annual leave and left his family to show us around the tower and Hilo. We got to see the sole apartment complex in Hilo that rented rooms for close to $750 a month. Unfortunately, the apartment complex is nothing to write home about. Most of our new members who are not from the Hawaiian Islands have a difficult time making ends meet with ATC-7 pay. While at ITO, we discussed working conditions and general Labor Management Relations (LMR) with several members, our Facility Rep Josh Cooper, and the ITO ATM. At lunch, we got the folks who were working some Pizza. That afternoon, Mike and I boarded our flight back to HNL. I would like to thank ITO Facility Rep Josh Cooper for his terrific hospitality and his dedication to NATCA and the ITO Local.
Monday evening, Mike and I met up with close to 40 members from HCF and the Honolulu Convention Committee for dinner. The Convention Committee is very busy making arrangements for the NATCA HNL 2010 Convention. The Convention will take place September 12-14, 2010 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. We are trying to be extremely fiscally responsible with the upcoming convention in Honolulu and believe that costs will be very comparable with Miami. Unfortunately, we were missing two very important members of the Convention Committee; Adell Humphreys and Sallie Sullivan who had come in December 2008 to meet with the hotel and some of our Committee members.
Based on the level of energy from our folks on the Convention Committee (Scott Sorenson, Thom Gurule, Poliala Lorenzo, Richard Coppola, Mickela, and Dave Caldwell), this is going to be a fantastic convention.
Tuesday morning, Mike and I boarded a flight for Maui to visit the tower in Kahului. We were met by OGG Facility Rep Marcus Jackson who grew up in the Islands. On the way into the facility, we stopped by a local restaurant to pick up some chicken “Katsu” for the BBQ luncheon that the fine folks at OGG had set up. Currently, Maui is staffed with eight (8) CPC’s and eight (8) developmentals!! One of the newest developmentals came to Maui from North Dakota. Most of the developmentals are from the mainland. The FAA must do a much better job of hiring locally for places such as Hawaii, Guam, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Otherwise, we will always have staffing imbalances in these locations due to “Island Fever.”
As in Hilo, it’s not easy to make ends meet in Maui with the ATC-7 level pay that has been cut by 30 % when the FAA implemented its imposed work/pay rules on September 3, 2006. I was truly impressed by the family atmosphere at Maui. I would like to thank Marcus, Wojo for BBQ’ing, and the entire Maui local for their most fantastic hospitality.
Upon returning to Honolulu late in the afternoon, Mike and I met up with the Convention Committee, minus Adell Humphreys and Sallie Sullivan, to look at some of the venues for the Local party, regional dinners, and have some discussions about the Convention in general. Our goal is to make sure that we have a memorable convention while at the same time keeping the costs comparable to Miami, if not cheaper.
On Wednesday morning, Mike and I drove to HCF which is on Hickam Air Force Base. The speeds on base vary from 20 to 35 miles an hour. It takes a good 15-20 minutes to get to the facility from the main gate. There are times when our members arrive with plenty of time to get to work and are held up by base security or some form of a security lock down. HCF Controller Rosa Serai was nice enough to meet us at the guard shack and guide us to the facility. We were met at the facility by ATM Bob Rabideau, OM Robert Hong along with NATCA Facility Rep Scott Sorenson and HCF Legislative Rep Jimmy Lake. Scott, Mike, and I met with Bob Rabideau for about forty five minutes before we took a tour of this absolutely beautiful facility. Just as in the case of Hilo and Maui, it’s quite expensive for new developmentals to make ends meet in Honolulu. We have had several new hires resign since they could not afford to live in Honolulu. Yet another very strong argument why there is an absolute need for a solid local hiring program for the Hawaiian Islands, Guam, etc….
After our tour of HCF, we returned to the hotel and packed up for our red eye flights back to the mainland. I am very impressed by the enthusiasm and energy of our Convention Committee members; thank you guys and gals.
I will be in Las Vegas this week attending the Communicating for Safety conference. I will be driving back to lovely Palmdale on Thursday morning and then getting my currency at L.A. Center on Friday.
In Solidarity,
Ham
NWP RVP
· We are up to 250 attendees for our March membership meeting in San Diego. Close to 90 of the attendees will be from the Western Pacific Region; WOW! The Hilton hotel is fully booked. As such, if you are still interested in attending the meeting on March 23-25, 2009, please contact Mickela and she can let you know about the overflow hotel.
· I worked with NCT Facility Rep Steve McCoy, Legislative Rep Chuck Vogel, LAX Facility Rep Mike Foote, and SCT Facility Rep Mel Davis on a report for Senator Feinstein on the state of training and staffing at NCT, LAX, and SCT. Here are just a few interesting facts from our report:
|
Total Terminal employees hired in last 3 fiscal years that have not left the FAA |
2628 |
|
Certified |
520 |
|
Still in training |
2108 |
|
Percent still in training |
80% |
|
Total Enroute employees hired in last 3 fiscal years that have not left the FAA |
1,852 |
|
Certified |
198 |
|
Still in training |
1,654 |
|
Percent still in training |
89% |
· Needless to say, the current hiring/placement program that the FAA is using is an absolute failure. You can’t expect a CTI or off the street hire with no ATC experience to certify at the busiest Tracon’s and Towers in the country (I.E. SCT, LAX, NCT). Unfortunately, the FAA still sees this as a big numbers game. They will plug any developmental, regardless of their experience level, into any facility as long as it will make the overall numbers look good.
· ZLA Facility Rep/NWP LR Rep Garth Koleszar and Mike Hull work with the BFL local regarding some election questions, official time, and sick leave for an employee.
· Mike Hull works with the BFL Hub Manager regarding the denial of sick leave for a member at BFL.
· NATCA Safety and Technology advised that ATO-S (Safety) has now determined that when ever there is a pilot deviation the controller must also have a deviation or error! This is a direct result of the D10 management team filing pilot deviations when they were allegedly controller deviations.
· NCT Facility Rep/NWP LR Rep Steve McCoy shares the local update with me; thanks brother.
· Steve McCoy and I work with service area management to advise them of a shortage of Raytheon contract instructors at NCT. As a result, NCT is detailing controllers without FIT (Facility Instructor Training) to instruct developmentals and then backfilling them with overtime. In response, the Western Terminal Director has stated that it was never their plan to not use controllers in some fashion in the training department. Meanwhile, from the national level, the FAA stated that NCT has a difficult time finding qualified instructors. Steve advised me that there are several retirees who are interested in working at NCT, but they have been told that Raytheon is not hiring!!
THE NATCA CHARITABLE FOUNDATION AND NATCA RELOADED WILL BE HOLDING A GOLF TOURNEMENT ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, AFTER THE COMBINED REGIONAL MEETING IN SAN DIEGO.
THE FLYER IS POSTED ON THE NWP WEBSITE (http://nwp.natca.net) UNDER THE "MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS" TAB.
ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE EMAIL ROB REDDEG/SCT AT Thereddegs@sbcglobal.net.
· I worked with BUR Facility Rep Cau Hau and Western Terminal regarding a new supervisor that was scheduled to stand watch without having any certifications in the Tower. FAA Order 7210.3, 2-3-3, states that in order to directly supervise the operation, front line managers must be operationally current.
· Mike Hull and I worked with P50 Facility Rep Tim Krieger regarding the changes to the mid-night shift staffing at P50. Tim will be working with one of NWP legislative reps, Mark Wojtulski who also works at P50 in order to bring this issue to the attention of our law makers. While the FAA has advised us that their FLM will be working side by side with our controller, they have refused to reduce this to writing. As such, there is no guarantee that the FLM gives our sole controller on the mid-watch a 20 minute break and then works on his paperwork for the rest of the night.
· The Air Traffic Safety Action Program (ATSAP) is coming to your neck of the woods.
o L.A. briefing will be held on March 11th.
o Oakland briefing will be held on March 12th.
· These briefings are to familiarize the Facility Reps and ATMs with the ATSAP program. The actual training for ATSAP will not begin until the end of May.
· Interesting fact for NWP; we have 45 SRF-12 facilities. These are facilities that receive $4000 or less in annual dues rebates. There are a total of 56 facilities in the Western Pacific Region (including our DOD Facility in Hawaii-JRF). Here is what SRF-12 states:
SRF-12 Reimbursement for Training/Meetings (9/04, 4/06, 9/08)
For any local receiving $4,000 or less in annual dues rebates, transportation and lodging expenses required to attend NATCA training courses or regional meetings will be paid by the region or department hosting the event, in accordance with NATCA’s expense reimbursement policy. All such expenses require pre-approval by the individual responsible for the budget before costs are incurred.
· Mike Hull and I worked with HWD Facility Rep Karin Guerra regarding a developmental at her facility who did not receive an OSI since they had failed the training program at another facility. Here is what the FAA had to say:
The OSI guidance advises that employees who received a suspension, reduction in grade or pay for conduct or performance, or issued a removal decision letter during the performance year are ineligible for an OSI.
HRMD's interpretation and application of the aforementioned: Employees that are unsuccessful at one facility, and subsequently placed at a lower level/less complex facility, are considered to have received a reduction in grade/pay for performance; therefore, making them ineligible for the OSI.
· Based on this interpretation, we advised Karin to file a grievance on behalf of our member at HWD.
· ZLA Facility Rep/NWP LR Rep works with VGT Facility Rep Mark Knabel regarding some LR and operational issues.
· Any facility needing a copy of their local constitution can email Mickela (Mickela@natca.net) or they can view them online via Unionware.
· Mike Hull and I worked with two facility reps that have been advised that they can NOT conduct their Facility Rep official time offsite. Here is what their White Book interpretation has to say:
1. It is the intent that, as a general rule, FacRep time should be scheduled between the Rep and the Manager in advance of the posting of the watch schedule as described in Article 32 Section 3, in order to better ensure the granting of such time. Such time takes precedence over non vacation/spot leave requests.
3. Under the terms of Section 14, there is no requirement that the FacRep report to work (including sign in/sign out) prior to pursuing official time away from the facility. This does not eliminate other provisions as outlined therein.
· Mike Hull worked with FAT Facility Rep Mike Farrell regarding a problem with a FERS employee who had submitted retirement paperwork effective on December 31, 2008. The employee was on the schedule and actually came to work after that date and worked. After the fact, the FAA claimed that since he had retired on December 31, 2008, that the hours worked would not be compensated, even though the employee was scheduled to work, reported to work, and actually performed work!
Mike Hull worked with Western Terminal and HR to resolve this issue for our member at FAT.
· NWP LR Rep Bruce Bates and Mike Hull worked with BUR Facility Rep on a response letter to a training failure at BUR.
· I worked with RNO Facility Rep Rich Ferris and Steve McCoy regarding the design of the new RNO Tower, the consolidation to NCT, and the horrendous staffing at RNO.
· On February 13, 2009, a national grievance was filed on the OSI/SCI payouts.
· Reminder- The national office must RECEIVE all Convention subsidy requests (for the Miami convention) not later than March 11, 2009.
· I was advised by SDL Facility Rep Kimi Cooley of a bat problem at SDL. Apparently, there was a bat cave below the tower cab. The entrance to the cave was sealed up which resulted in the smell of decomposing bat bodies coming up through the tower shaft and the elevator to the tower. Our NWP OSHA Lead Garth Koleszar is working with Kimi to make sure there is no health risks associated with this bat problem.
· FFZ Facility Rep Chris Brazys shares his local update with me; thanks. I always appreciate reading your local updates.
· NWP Finance Lead Eric Hughes sends out some information regarding the financial report deadlines. If you have any questions regarding the timelines or what you are required to fill out and when, please contact Eric Hughes at air.rock@sbcglobal.net or his cell (650) 784-3906.
· Mike Hull and I are working on setting up a meeting with Western Terminal management to discuss the working conditions and the current state of LMR (Labor Management Relations) at PHX, P50 and the PHX hub in general. We will also be discussing the recent review of TUS by Mike Hull and an operations manager from the PHX Hub.
· Mike Hull and I worked with L30 Facility Rep Sara George regarding a host of LR issues and operational issues at the Las Vegas Tracon (L30).
· I worked with Western Terminal regarding jury service for one of our members in PHX. In the PHX court system, they initially call you up for one day of jury service. If you are selected to serve on a jury, they immediately extend your service. The FAA has advised us that if jury service happens on the employees regular days off that the FAA will NOT change their schedule to attend jury duty on duty time. We rectified the situation for our member in PHX, but continue to deal with this issue on a national level for those states that our members are initially called up for only one day.
· Effective March 1, 2009, our good friend and brother ZUA Facility Rep Steve Costa will be stepping down as the Facility Rep in preparation for his move to Rhode Island. Steve has done a fantastic job in Guam and I could not be prouder of his service and commitment to the ZUA Local and NATCA. I would like to thank Will Scott for stepping up to be the next Facility Rep at ZUA.
· P50 Facility Rep Tim Krieger shares yet another terrific local update with me; great work in keeping your members informed Tim.
· NATCA President Pat Forrey has been invited to testify before the Aviation Subcommittee regarding ATC Modernization and NextGen on Wednesday March 18, 2009.
