NWP Reps/Members:
This past Friday July 3, 2009, I had an opportunity to meet with DOT Secretary La Hood during his visit to LAX Tower. Also in attendance for NATCA were LAX Facility Rep Mike Foote, SCT Facility Rep Mel Davis, and NATCA Airports National Representative/EWP Local President Sam Samad. Congresswoman Laura Richardson (CA-37), Senator Boxer’s staff, and Congresswoman Harmon’s staff (CA-36) were also present for our meeting with the secretary.
NATCA had initially heard about the Secretary’s visit by word of mouth at LAX Tower. I began coordinating with our Governmental Affairs Director Jose Ceballos to confirm the visit as well as to determine the purpose of the visit. We determined that one of the reasons behind the visit was the recent DOT-IG report that Senator Feinstein had requested regarding the state of staffing and training at LAX, NCT, and SCT. Secretary La Hood’s staff mentioned to Jose that the Secretary wanted to specifically meet with our local NATCA reps to discuss the recent DOT-IG report, and that we would have thirty minutes to discuss our issues with him. Jose made sure to advise the Secretary’s staff that NATCA had not been notified by the FAA on the Secretary’s visit to LAX.
Mike Foote, Mel Davis, Sam Samad, and I met before the meeting and organized the presentation of the information so that we could maximize our time with the Secretary and ensure that we covered all of the necessary information. Here is a brief synopsis of what was discussed with Secretary La Hood during the meeting at LAX Tower:
1. The role of HR in the FAA has to be changed- FAA HR (Human Resources) needs to provide counsel and provide support to managers and not dictate what they can or cannot do. HR should not be an impediment or obstruction to ATO management trying to manage the operation. I followed up on an example that I had given him months ago in Phoenix when I compared ATO COO Krakowski to the Queen of England because of the flawed structure of HR in the FAA; he remembered it. The Secretary asked for some examples, so Mel and Mike both jumped in with examples.
2. Status quo in the FAA- The appearance in the field that even though President Obama’s FAA Administrator had been confirmed that there had been little to no change in the FAA. The current FAA seems to be operating under the same Blakey era policies/principles in dealing with employees and perceiving us as the problem rather than the solution. I made it a point to thank the Secretary and President Obama for getting us back to the table in an attempt to have a fair contract. I advised the Secretary that close to 5000 retirement eligible controllers were watching the NATCA/FAA mediation very carefully and weighing their options whether or not to retire based on the outcome of the talks. Several times during our thirty minute conversation we brought the “Status Quo” up again. Finally, the Secretary asked us to be a little patient since FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt had been in office for just about a month.
3. Importance of NATCA participation on NextGen- I advised Secretary La Hood that we realized that the Air Traffic Controller contract and NextGen were his two highest priorities. We also understood that NextGen is a priority for President Obama. We advised the Secretary that even though we had the “know how”, the intelligence, the experience, and the ability to help shape NextGen that NATCA had been completely left out of the NextGen equation. I advised the Secretary that NextGen needs to be so much more than just ADS-B. It needs to be realistic and attainable short term initiatives such as CDA’s (Continuous Descent Approaches), RNAV arrivals/departures, National Airspace Re-design, and more. Mike Foote and Mel Davis gave the Secretary examples and then discussed the successes that we had enjoyed when we were involved in National Airspace Re-design. At this point, the Secretary turned to us and said: “Give me five names”! (NOTE- Jose will be talking with the Secretary’s staff to follow up and determine how and in what capacity the Secretary plans to use these five individuals)
4. Staffing and Training- Mike, Mel, and I discussed and provided examples of the current staffing method that the FAA uses and how it is not based on any science and instead is completely based on ATO-Finance’s outlook of what a facility needs. We discussed the most recent change to ATO staffing in that they now count all personnel in determining whether a facility is fully staffed or not. Previously, the ATO would only count certified controllers and not developmentals. Yet another change brought about by ATO-Finance that is not based on any scientific data and is purely budget driven. We discussed the absolute necessity to ensure that new hires are placed in facilities where they will have an opportunity to succeed. New hires should not be placed in complex facilities such as LAX, SCT, and NCT. Mel and Mike gave the Secretary some examples and Mike further elaborated on this point during the tour that he gave to the Secretary after the meeting.
5. Facility Consolidation/Re-Alignment- There has to be a “BRAC” (Base closure and Realignment Commission) like process set up for the FAA to look at each and every consolidation/re-alignment and see whether there is measurable safety and cost benefits in consolidating a particular facility. We can NOT approach consolidations/re-alignments with a one size fits all mentality.
Finally, Sam Samad had an opportunity to discuss, with the Secretary, the state of the multi-units imposed work and pay rules and the recent cyber breach in Western Pacific.
In closing, Secretary La Hood advised us that the next person that would be coming out West to discuss the recent DOT-IG report would be Administrator Babbitt. Overall, we were very appreciative that Secretary La Hood took the time to listen to us and more importantly engage us on our issues. This is certainly a first for me in nineteen years of service in the FAA to have a one-on-one type meeting with the Secretary of Transportation.
In Solidarity,
Ham
NWP RVP
I would like to congratulate the new Honolulu Control Facility (HCF) Executive Board:
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Thom Gurule, HNL VP
Jimmy Lake, Island VP *
Shawn Lorenzo, Secretary *
Steve Olson, Treasurer *
Scott Sorenson, President
The * indicates new
SJC Facility Rep/NWP LR Rep Rich Burton, Mike Hull, and I work with HWD Facility Rep Shane Foskey regarding the training program at HWD.
The DOT-IG comes out with yet another critical audit of the FAA. This time, it’s about the FAA not accurately reporting training failures. You can read the entire report by going to the NWP website at http://nwp.natca.net and clicking on the news clicker at the bottom of the home page. Here are some highlights of the report:
“According to FAA, the training attrition rate for all controllers in FY 2007 was approximately 7 percent. However, we found that this rate does not reflect actual training failures among newly hired controllers for four reasons:
(1) FAA does not track training failures among the new controllers as a separate metric;
(2) FAA’s current rate is based on FY 2007 training failures and will likely increase as FAA hires more new controllers between FY 2009 and FY 2017; (3) FAA does not have a uniform definition of training failures and other types of attrition; and
(4) FAA’s training failure data in the NTD were incomplete, inaccurate, or understated”
NWP Safety Lead Eric Carter worked with SBA Facility Rep Gordie Thompson regarding VFR practice approaches at SBA and our separation responsibility. Eric will be discussing this with ATO-Safety.
LAX Facility Rep/NWP LR Rep Mike Foote and Mike Hull worked with LGB Facility Rep Paul “Boogie” Bugarin regarding some representational issues dealing with a “Go around” and the subsequent meetings in which management denied our members representation. Here is the guidance that Mike Hull provided Boogie:
“They are absolutely required to notify the employee of their right to representation. If they do not, I would file a grievance. However, if they consider this a "performance" discussion, then the employee has no right to a rep even if they request one.
If the employee was told the scope of the meeting ahead of time, and they specifically stated that it was for the non-reporting of a go-around, then that is NOT a performance discussion because disciplinary action may result.
You need to have the employees write up records of conversation, specifically stating what was said in the meetings and by whom. They need to date it and sign it.
Mike Foote, Mike Hull, and I also worked with Boogie and LGB VP Joe Alvarado on the two power outages that affected LGB.
A good brother from the Central region asked us a question regarding what rule or order allows the FAA to NOT bump a controllers pay immediately after certification. Here is what Mike Hull had to say:
“It is because of the language in Article 36, Section 1 of the CBA and the white book. They both contain the same language and it states "Promotions to positions within the unit including those resulting from facility classification changes shall be effected on the beginning of the first full pay period after the employee becomes fully eligible.”
This is the link to the pay setting rules:
https://employees.faa.gov/employee_services/pay_perf/pay/atspp/media/atspp/ATSPP.pdf
Chapter 6 covers new hires and the pay path from the Academy to CPC
Chapters 7, 8 & 9 covers internal movement.”
I am extremely proud to announce that the very first NATCA web-based training class has begun with our first twenty-five enrollees. I would like to thank Tony Yushinsky (ALB Facility Rep), Mike Hull, and Bob Taylor for their hard work on this excellent project. This is just the beginning for NATCA web-based training. We will be working on other web-based training classes in the very near future.
Mike Hull and I worked with NATCA Safety Committee Chairman Steve Hansen to resolve some issues at SFO with NWP Safety Lead Eric Carter being released for ATSAP duties, and problems with ATSAP cadre training at LAX and RNO.
Well, it’s official! Juan Serna-Spuler has been briefed and brought up to speed by outgoing NWP Hardship Lead Bob Guerra. I would like to thank Juan for stepping up as our new NWP Hardship Lead. Once again, I would like to thank Bob for his dedicate service to our members. Bob is an absolute credit to our organization and I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to have worked with him as the ZLA Facility Rep and now the Regional Vice President. A job well-done Bob…..
NWP Finance Lead Eric Hughes continues to do a phenomenal job of helping our locals by auditing their local finances. Most recently, he conducted an audit of SMF.
Mike Hull worked with POC Facility Rep/NWP LR Rep John Paiva and PSP Facility Rep Curtis Cannon regarding a proposed 14 day suspension.
Since most NWP Facilities are in the process of ATSAP training, here are two important questions and answers that I would like to share with you:
Can the ERC recommend “no action” if an individual is involved in an Operational Error?
Yes, and this might well be the response. The ERC will consider what the individual submits in the ATSAP report regarding the situation, what contributed to it, what caused it, and what recommendations are made to prevent a reoccurrence.
Can a Manager disregard the ERC recommendation or assign additional training?
No, a manager can offer his/her own recommendations to the ERC, but must abide solely by what the ERC determines.
Mike Hull continues to work as the NATCA designee at RNO to resolve the poor Labor Relations climate in RNO. As soon as the service area announces their new temporary acting District Manager (Del Meadows, the permanent DM suffered an on the job injury and may be out of commission for an undetermined period of time) we will be looking at a meeting to discuss the state of affairs at RNO.
Mike Hull worked with FFZ Facility Rep Chris Brazys and Western Terminal regarding the new SOP at FFZ.
We have a new Western Enroute Director and his name is Chris Metts. Chris and I had an opportunity to talk last week. Chris was previously involved in the implementation of VSCS, DSR, and DRVSM.
I worked with Acting ZLA Facility Rep Chad Geyer to address a recent OD between ZLA and ZAB in which our controller was placed on the package.
Mike Hull worked with VGT Facility Rep Mark Knabel regarding a grievance and how to properly file and elevate it.
I worked with my Marine at MYF, Maliesa Swinson, regarding a construction project that was not properly negotiated with her.
Our HNL 2010 Convention Committee conducted a telcon and worked on a comprehensive spreadsheet of everything that needs to be addressed in the coming months.
Kevin Sherwood worked on the convention website and added a link for hotel reservations:
http://alohanatca2010.natca.net/reservations.htm
Please note that reservations cannot be made until one year prior to the convention!!
Kevin added two buttons - one when clicked takes you to reservations for Hilton Hawaiian Village the other takes you to a virtual tour of HHV.
Mike Hull and I conducted a telcon with Western Terminal. We discussed an AWOL situation at TOA, Labor Relations at PHX, STS mold/asbestos remediation project, GCN housing and the possibility that GCN airport may be closed (we were advised during the telcon that the state would NOT close the airport due to budget shortfalls. However, they were seriously looking at it as an option), removal of a probationary employee at SCK, 14 day suspension at L30, ERR for a developmental at HCF, and the DOT-IG report regarding LAX, NCT, and SCT. Acting Western Terminal Director Rich Belmonte will be working to set up a meeting to discuss the IG report with our three facility reps and their counterparts.
Mike Hull worked with Western Terminal to postpone a “Weingarten Meeting” (investigatory meeting) at TOA until our Facility Rep was back from his vacation.
I worked with U90 Facility Rep Mike Ragucci regarding the sick leave approval process at U90.
SCT Facility Rep Mel Davis requested that we set up a retirement seminar for the San Diego area. I worked with our Membership Director Lew Zietz to set up the meeting.
Mike Hull and I worked with BFL Facility Rep Joe Segretto regarding the process to follow for an on the job injury.
Reps, please remember that if there are any changes to your local executive board to please complete the “Local Update Worksheet” which is available on the NWP website under the “Forms Library” tab and fax it to Mickela. You do not need to fax the form to the National office.
Mike Hull, ZOA Facility Rep/NWP LR Rep Scott Conde, Kevin Sills, and I continue to work with Western Enroute to resolve a dispute on an ATOP Training delay issue before the scheduled arbitration. I am happy to report that we signed a settlement agreement for our member and ensured that he not only received backpay but also had his pay setting set in accordance with the pay rules in effect prior the imposed pay rules on September 3, 2006. Congratulations to Scott, Mike, and Kevin for a job well done.
Everyone should have received their ballots for the NATCA elections by now. If there are any problems, please contact myself or Mickela and we will assist you. We are at an important crossroads for the future of our profession and our organization. Please take the time to vote, and if possible vote electronically and help us save some money. You will need your NATCA member number to vote electronically. If you don’t have access to your member number, please contact your local NATCA leadership, Mickela, or I and we will get you the number.
In closing, as most of you know by now, NATCA and the FAA concluded their presentation on pay, rights of union officials, position descriptions, annual leave, and duration on Monday July 6th before the three arbitrators who also acted as our mediators. The parties are free to resolve their issues and come up with a voluntary agreement right up until the arbitrators arrive at their decision. The arbitrators will have up to thirty days to render a decision. During the coming days and weeks, I will continue to do my best to get you the most up to date information since I know many of you are quite anxious and have many questions.
