Facility Update June 18th

Thank you all that showed up for the meeting this past week, it was a lot of business to go over and it’s so great to have some feedback from the facility.

Elections

There was a bit of a miscommunication on dates that were sent in the mail but this is the current, official election timeline:

• Nominations are open now but still must be received by August 15, 2021, 12pm 

• Nominations must be accepted by August 23, 2021

• Ballots shall be distributed on August 25, 2021 

• If needed, duplicate ballots must be requested by September 5, 2021 

• Ballots must be received by September 15, 2021, 12 pm 

• Ballots will be counted on September 15, 2021 

Nomination forms are currently out and located by the mail boxes, just fill it out and put it in the black box.

Backpack Program

NATCA Charitable Foundation has offered us money for the backpack program again this year but we need someone to head this up. I (Amy) normally do but I cannot head it up this year. If you are interested in doing this, please let us know as soon as possible so we can get that going.

Event Planning Group

We have been throwing around the idea of starting up solidarity events but we need help. Do you enjoy planning parties or maybe just have some ideas that you would like to see come to fruition? Do you have some volunteer opportunity ideas to help our community? Chili cook-offs, Super Bowl parties, Softball teams? Maybe you’re just looking for a way to start getting involved with your work family. Please let us know so we can start this group going and start planning events again!

In Solidarity,

Derek Adams and Amy Sizemore

Facility Update July 8th

Greetings from the Northwest Mountain and Alaskan Region Pre-Convention meeting in Denver. We have spent the past couple of days reviewing and discussing all the constitutional amendments that were submitted. We have a lot of information to pass along to you and in turn, we need your input as well. This coming Wednesday is our first in person all members meeting since the start of the pandemic and it is a very important one. We want to be as inclusive as possible and will be offering a hybrid (in-person & virtual) option to ensure everyone feels safe to attend. During the meeting, we will go over each amendment, explain, discuss and get ZSE’s general thoughts on it so we can vote accordingly in Houston. If you would like to attend in person, it will be in the East/West Conference room and food/drinks will be provided. If you prefer the virtual option, the link is here. 

Wednesday, July 14th, 1pm

Pay

With the Juneteenth Holiday being passed into law, there was a little confusion on holiday pay. Depending on your RDOs, it is either on the most recent LES or the previous. If it is on neither, please let someone know right away so we can get it fixed. 

In Solidarity,

Derek Adams and Amy Sizemore

Facility Update June 25th

Good afternoon all, hot enough for you? Haha...just kidding, that’s not a question, it’s def too hot.

MOU negotiations

We will be sitting down with management shortly to hammer out 2022 MOUs. If you have concerns or suggestions for changes you’d like to see, please talk to your rep or email us.

Contract Corner

We would like to add a new section to our update and take some time to go over contract articles occasionally. We’ll start it off by going over a section from Article 24 Annual Leave, specifically Section 14. 

The important takeaway here is that if you’d like to utilize the protections written into this section, you need to follow up your WMT request with an actual conversation with a supervisor. Oftentimes the shift staffing will allow for leave when the request was put in but it isn’t addressed for so long that for whatever reason there was a drop in staffing and then the leave could no longer be approved.

Party! Party! Party!

Although we’ll hate to see him go, we really hope you’ll join in saying goodbye to one of ZSE’s favorite people, Jared Zimmerman. Facility wide parties have long been a great ATC tradition that absolutely needs to make a comeback! Getting to know people outside of work is so valuable in high stress, non conventional work-hour jobs like ours. Can’t wait!

Until next week,

Derek Adams and Amy Sizemore

Facility Update June 4th

Happy June all, hopefully this nice weather has been a welcome reprieve from all the rain and storms lately. Between annual leave and general life stuff it’s been a while since we have sent out an email so let’s get back into it.

Covid Updates

The mask MOU has been updated to allow for vaccinated people to go mask-less in the building. If you’re not vaccinated, you are required to still wear a mask. Lying or lack of candor is something the agency will definitely follow up on. 

This coming Monday marks the end of Covid scheduling. Here’s what that means for us:

• Return to pre-covid negotiated schedules/guide numbers

• People back in the building

• No more (Covid) EA 

• The OSHA committee is working on opening the gym fully 

• Building safety plan (closed off bathroom stalls, separated tables, etc) is still in effect

Election Committee Volunteer Request

Every other year our facility holds a local election and is an integral part of our organization. Our Election Committee is soliciting for volunteers to help with this year’s election. No experience necessary, it’s just a lot of little work that is made so much easier with lots of help. Nominations will be accepted between August 1-15 and elections will be completed by September 15th. 

*If you have moved in the last 2-3 years, please let your area rep know so that we have your current mailing address. The Department of Labor stipulates that these elections be done via mail in ballot.

BWS/OT/CIC MOUs

We will be beginning negotiations for the 2022 MOUs shortly. If you have any suggestions or requests for changes, please let your rep know.

Building Water Shut Off

On Tuesday, June 8th at 6pm the entire building water will need to be shut off for many hours for maintenance/repairs and then to fully flush the system. Bottled water will be provided and portable toilets will be outside.

Have a great night!

Derek Adams and Amy Sizemore

Facility Update April 23rd

Not much to update tonight, just a quick solicitation of interest.

Tech Refresh 2 (TR2 or ERAM Sustainability)

TR2 will be starting back up again soon. One part of the upgrades that will be happening are installing the newer, larger monitors (43”), replacing our current scopes. Since these monitors are much wider, we will no longer be able to have the laminated papers on the side with all the sectors/frequencies. They will be replaced with electronic versions called “horse collars.” Prior to covid, we had asked for a volunteer from each area to help develop their area’s horse collar but we didn’t get too far before the pandemic closed everything so we’re looking for volunteers again. The proposed start date is July 5th. If you’re interested or would like more information, please let your area rep know.

Here are a couple of slides for a little more information:

Thank you all for continued hard work.

Derek and Amy