Good Evening All!
Masks, Vaccinations, Sick Leave
The FAA has converted the MOU that we had with them regarding masks and sick leave usage into an HRPM Policy Bulletin. That makes it more permanent and will remain in effect until further notice. Here are the key points but is available here for you to peruse if you wish.
Masks are mandatory if you are not vaccinated
All employees must complete the “Wellness Check” before entering the facility. If you answer yes to any of the questions you may not enter and will need to take sick leave.
This bulletin also specifies the policy for EA regarding testing, contact, etc.
Still no official word on vaccination mandates but as it stands, anyone without a mask on in the building is declaring that they are vaccinated. If it is found to be otherwise, you are putting yourself at risk for discipline in the future.
Back Up System
Changes are coming to some of the late swing/early mid shifts. Bear with me for a little background info…. Some of you might remember a briefing we had a long time ago that talked about the FAA discontinuing the back up to the back up for ERAM (depending on how old you are, you might call it DARC or EBUS). We will still have channel A and B. When we do the chart changes and system upgrades, Tech Ops will take down a channel, load the changes onto it and then make that the active channel. In the past that was all done with EBUS running in the background but now it’ll be without and called “single channel operations.” The Agency has mandated that more staffing is present during these times. Right now most areas are scheduling the 16s to be held for 2 hours OT but we are trying to hammer out a more permanent solution since this is a permanent operation change.
TL;DR: There will be 3 people staffed in each area every night we go to single channel operations.
ZSE E-Board Nominations
The nomination period is coming to a close (8/15) and the election will start soon thereafter. If you have changed your phone number or mailing address in the last couple of years, please click on this link and fill out the changes so we can update the system. By law, voting must be done via mail so it is imperative that we have your current address.
Retirement Party
It’s a little belated but Andy Olson has retired after 30 years (wow!) with the FAA. They are having a gathering at Half Lion Brewery in Sumner tomorrow (8/7) from 4-8pm. It would be nice to see you there. Half Lion is a family friendly location so people of all ages are allowed.
1723 W Valley Hwy E #101, Sumner, WA 98390
Have a great weekend,
Derek Adams and Amy Sizemore