Sup everybody,
Just wanted to give you a quick update on what I am working on this week while Amy is on leave.
Grievances
Right now we have grievances in 2 spots, we have Step 2 and PAR. Step 2 is the facility level where we file the grievances to the ATM and make our case here in hopes of explaining to them why the decision that was made was wrong and then they rule on their on ruling and decide whether or not to overturn or mitigate their previous action (spoiler alert: the almost never do)
The step beyond that is PAR or Pre-Arbitration Review. I will be arguing the grievances at this level in person when we hold PAR in early August (likely in LA for some odd reason). The outcome of that will depend on the feeling of a neutral third party, they will issue a decision saying “if this were to go to full arbitration, this is likely how it would go.” Then both parties (Union and Agency) can choose whether or not to accept that or elevate to true arbitration with attorneys and all that.
So, at Step 2 right now is a grievance regarding a controller receiving discipline for painting a pickleball court. I am sure you have all heard of this one and agree that discipline for something like this is pretty absurd. I am hoping we can make that case at Step 2 but if not, we will absolutely take that one to PAR.
At PAR level right now we a few things. First a grievance regarding discipline issued for a conversation that an OM and controller had that didn’t go the way the OM wanted it to. We plan to argue at PAR that grown ups occasionally have tense conversations and that doesn’t always need to result in discipline.
Also at PAR (when I last updated you it was at Step 2) is a grievance where the agency skipped someone for OT by assigning the OT to someone who was ineligible to work the OT. It went like this: call an eligible person, eligible person doesn’t pick up, assign to an ineligible person, the eligible person calls back and gets told no because the agency assigned it to someone who was ineligible. Which, to any logical person, would mean they skipped the eligible person. We will make this argument to a neutral in August.
Another one at PAR is regarding the Agency’s inability to properly respond to a grievance. I have mentioned this one before but just to reiterate, they have a history of just answering just one thing in a grievance containing multiple violations. Since I filed that grievance, the Agency has decided to start reading the entire thing and replying to all of it but they still need to be held accountable for the ones they did not do that with. Looking forward to seeing what a neutral says there.
RATS!
I have received several reports of rats scurrying around our lovely building. This probably has something to do with the unkempt landscaping. Anyone remember when the building used to be taken care of? I ‘member. Anyway, I have filed a UCR (Unsatisfactory Conditions Report) regarding this. Hopefully we get someone to trim the weeds and get the rats to move on (or offer them jobs, we are pretty short staffed).
MOU Season
As I am sure you are all aware, MOU season is fast approaching. I am working on putting together a team to help negotiate the 2026 BWS/AL/OT MOUs. If you have ideas for these MOUs, please be thinking about them and we will begin soliciting for feedback on how to handle those soon.
NEB Meeting
I will be out of the building Monday and Tuesday of next week attending the NEB meeting in Seattle. I have received several responses from you guys on things you would like for me to bring up to them and I intend to do that and report back. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you thing of other things you would like for me to say. Reminder: there is a meet and greet Monday night, June 30, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Rhein Haus in Seattle (912 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122). Families are welcome. Flyer here. RSVP HERE!
elections
Angie McMahon will be mailing the notice of elections on Friday 6/27 and the nomination period will open on that day, 6/27 at 12pm and end on 7/11 at 12pm. Nomination forms will be placed on top of the black box outside the ready room. Once filled out, just place the form in the black box. Deadline for accepting is 7/18 at 12pm. Ballots will be mailed August 8th. Ballots are due August 29th. At 12pm on August 29th, the election committee will pull the ballots from the box and count them and send out the results ASAP. This year we will be using a ballot box and ONLY a ballot box. There is no mail in option. That means the only way to vote is to drop your ballot in the black box outside the ready room.
All positions are open for election for 2 year terms. This is your best chance to get involved, don’t wait until you feel “ready” or you never will, just go for it!
Big thanks to everyone who stopped by to hang out and have a burger last Friday at the cookout. I recently saw that ZOA has something similar, except they make breakfast for everyone. Is this something you all would be interested in doing as well? Please let me know if you want to help do that for the facility.
Ok have a great rest of your week everyone, try to enjoy some sun on your RDO!
Drew