Government Shutdown
As the government shuts down, Air Traffic Control in unaffected until Monday, December 24, 12:00am. Anyone in a leave status on Monday (and until the shutdown ends) will be noted as furloughed. NATCA believes that this shutdown may differ from those in the past in which furloughed employees were given excused absence. There is no guarantee of back pay if you are furloughed. Please take leave at your own risk of potentially not being paid. This shutdown will likely extend through the New Year as members of the House and Congress spend the holidays with family.
This brings me to the next issue of of pay. If you are need of financial assistance through the shutdown, SkyOne Federal Credit Union can help. Each area has copies of a flyer on how to receive assistance. This flyer is also posted on the NATCA bulletin boards outside the control room as well as in the classrooms in the training department. If you are unable to find the flyers and need the information please see any member of the Eboard for assistance. We will gladly help.
Our next paycheck will likely be delayed due to the shutdown. It is imperative that you review your Leave and Earning Statement to check for accuracy. Timecards were due prior to the end of the pay period in order to stay ahead of the Christmas holiday and to fix any issues that may arise due to having a 27th Pay Period. Your next paycheck will be paid to you based on what you were scheduled to work after timecards were submitted. You may have discrepancies in differentials (night, Sunday, OJTI, CIC), leave used, credit earned, and overtime worked. These should be remedied in Pay Period 1 but it will be up to every individual to check your LES for accuracy.
A few reminders going into the new year:
We no longer need to wait until 28 days prior to the 1st day of the pay period to make any requests in Web scheduler. If the schedule is published, you can make requests. The schedule will be published, by management, at random to make sure everyone has a fair opportunity to make their requests.
Requests to use credit can not be made unless the credit has already been earned. If you are unsure you have enough credit to cover a request, or intend to make a leave request and earn the credit prior to taking the leave, put in a request for annual. Non-prime time leave requests made outside of the bid, in round 6 as accumulated, or spot leave requests made after the schedule is published can all be converted to credit. Accrued bid leave can not be converted into credit.
Airspace
I want to remind everyone we are still in a test period with NUW regarding the use of Molson South above FL280. Please continue to place strips in my headset box on any issues you may have with the airspace in use above FL280. We will most likely be entering into a longer test period to take us through the summer months when traffic is heavier. The airspace office anticipates NUW becoming lax in giving the airspace back as time goes on. We want to stay on top of this issue to better utilize our airspace or work towards alternate procedures.
NATCA Academy
https://www.natca.org/index.php/resources-member-side/natca-academy
If you would like to become more involved with NATCA, consider a NATCA academy class. Knowledge is power and we would like to have an educated workforce. If you would like to attend a class please sign up through the NATCA portal or see a member of the Eboard to help you register. Class space is limited and can not be guaranteed. Register early and make sure you have the time off in order to have a better chance of placement in the class.
Brooke
brooked85@hotmail.com
440-227-5591