Good Evening All,
Vaccine Deadline
There was a message sent out prematurely by the FAA and some managers around the nation have hit the ground running with that. We have not heard about it in this building yet but just know it’s not real until it’s real.
TR2
The new scope installation will start next week. It will happen from the hours of 10pm-5am on the dates listed below. All the areas chose a sector to start on that is least likely to be split off so that you will be able to sit down and set up your prefsets. Ideally that would happen near the beginning of your shift so that you’re ready to go if you have to sit at that sector later.
C Area Representative
Your area needs you! No one will be able to advocate for you as well as one of your own. We have reached the point in our process that it is completely open to volunteers. Please know that you will not be left on an island to have to do this on your own. We as an E-Board are committed to the “it takes a village” philosophy and often bounce ideas off each other or ask people for help/guidance. Even if you have no experience whatsoever but are interested in learning, please let us know as soon as possible.
New E-Board Members
I announced last week a bunch of the 2022-2024 E-Board members but there have been some additions and some changes.
Staff Support Specialist Rep: Paul Skorniakoff (this was not a new addition, I accidentally omitted it last time)
Secretary: James “Chico” Eastham
It has come to my attention that a lot of people did not get the email from Derek last week. This is what it said for those of you that haven’t seen it yet:
Good Morning,
Effective immediately I will be resigning my position as your FACREP. In my absence Amy will be taking over for the remainder of my term before beginning hers in January and Drew will be taking over as VP for the same duration. I want to say thank you to all the members for their support, feedback, activism and professionalism over the last 2 plus years. It has truly been an honor to serve the members at ZSE and I plan to continue to serve you and our great Union in any capacity that I can.
In solidarity,
Derek Adams
From Amy:
I am very excited to represent you for another 2 years after the remainder of this term! Most of you have it but just in case, I will attach my contact info at the bottom here. I will continue to dedicate my time to keep ZSE as enjoyable of a place to work as possible. Additionally, I am constantly looking for ways that we can continue to do our solidarity events, community service and any other ways to get us together as a group so if you have any ideas or suggestions, please let me know so we can try and make it work.
From Drew:
My elected term as VP begins January 1, 2022 but as you know I was appointed to fill out the remainder of Amy’s term when she assumed the role of FACREP. I will be on baby leave beginning 9/27 through the end of the year and I will be doing my best to make myself available as much as I can during that time. I will be back in the building full time on 1/2/22. I’ve been working closely with Amy on NATCA issues for quite some time now and I look forward to continuing that relationship as President and Vice President. I pride myself on holding my elected leaders accountable and I expect you all to do the same for me. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns at any time.
Covid Thoughts
I struggled whether to send out this list or not but I think some people might be interested in a bulleted list of things NATCA has negotiated for on your behalf over the last year and a half. This is not meant to boast but we fielded a lot of variations of the question “What is the national office even doing?”
We collaborated on the implementation of COVID-19 flexible schedules to mitigate member exposure to the virus. (Amy’s note: The idea of the FAA even considering a schedule that gives controllers 10 days off in a row is laughable, let alone that they would ever do that on their own)
We fought to include the FAA’s employees among those essential workers receiving priority for personal safety supplies (PSS), and we assisted the Agency in distributing it across the country.
Since March 2020, we have consistently negotiated to ensure that the use of masks was in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidance.
We collaborated on the implementation of routine level-3 cleaning of facilities, using OSHA and CDC approved products.
We negotiated up to four hours of excused absence to obtain a COVID-19 test.
For Bargaining Unit Employees possessing a medical clearance, we negotiated 48 hours of excused absence after receiving each dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and up to three days of excused absence while awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.
To further protect the health and safety of our members, we negotiated the implementation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and Emergency Paid Leave under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to provide additional leave for members affected by COVID-19.
Hopefully this answers some of the questions but if not, please let us know and we will get you an answer as soon as possible.
We know that we are not always going to agree but please know that we are all doing everything we can to represent the best interests of our membership as well as negotiating the impact of decisions made beyond our control.
Thank you
Amy Sizemore and Drew Stewart
Amy contact info:
2538806414
Drew’s contact info:
5035938178