ABACUS
As we talked about before, NATCA and the FAA are fast-tracking the traffic counting software, ABACUS. This is imperative, especially for the centers, since they have not been accurately counted in roughly 15 years. This is important because that is what our pay levels are set from. The team will be doing a validation run starting tomorrow and running through Thursday. This ensures that the software captures all the nuances of ZSE and gets every traffic count and complexity factor possible. Everyone is welcome to stop by the FTR office (Mike Sellman’s office near Airspace) to observe the process and ask questions from 6am-2pm.
April’s Trivia Contest
Congratulations to Nick Nolke, Alex Mathers, Kelly Schielke, and Carlos Navarette! Their names were drawn out of the submitted names to win NATCA swag. We’ll be doing it again in August for your next chance to win.
Here is a quick recap of the questions with the answers and references:
Article 114 is titled Collaboration. What all does this encompass?
Full time, “off the boards” reps
The Local Safety Council (LSC)
A local workgroup put together to redesign airspace
All of the above
Article 114 is an all-encompassing article that ensures we have a seat at the table for nearly everything. This ensures we get the best shot at a good product right out the gate rather than the FAA rolling out a bad product and then us having to fix it later.
Charlie Controller has a 6AM shift today. However, during the wind storm last night, a very large tree fell across his driveway. He doesn’t think he can get his car over/around the tree safely. Charlie calls into work requesting to be put on Article 19, what happens next?
The supervisor approves the request and the ATM and FacRep will review the situation later.
The supervisor approves the request but requires you to call back every 2 hours to get re-approval.
Article 19 can only be used for snow/ice.
This meets the qualifications for sick leave, just use that.
Article 19 of the contract states, “…employees are expected to make a reasonable effort to report for work…” This does not mean check in every hour. It also states, “Employees who are unable to report for duty shall be granted excused absence at the time of their request, subject to the review process in section 2.” This means that supervisors are required to approve this at the time you request it but you also need to do your part to help sustain it in the review process. This could mean photos, videos, news articles, etc.
The E Area just got a new certified CPC! The CPC was training on Sat/Sun RDOs. What happens to their schedule now?
They remain on their RDOs until next year.
The highest seniority CPC that wants Sat/Sun can take it.
They are moved to RDOs that more closely align with their seniority.
A new line is created and is “waterfalled” down.
According to Article 32 of the contract, every employee is entitled to their RDOs for the entire year. The only way to force someone to different days off is through Article 46.
In which of the following situations are you NOT entitled to union representation?
You’re asked to report to the supe’s office to discuss allegations that you left early yesterday.
You’re asked to report to the supe’s office to discuss a PRoC.
You’ve been told to report for drug and alcohol testing.
You’re asked to report to the supe’s office to discuss allegations that your coworker took a ream of paper home but you also have done that in the past and thought it was ok.
You are not entitled to representation for performance-based discussions however, it is not prohibited. In the case of the answer about the ream of paper, there is a “representative present during an interview that the employee reasonably believes could lead to discipline.” So, if you have done the same thing in the past, there is a good chance you will say something incriminating and therefore are entitled to a rep.
Have a great week!
Amy