I’ve attached guidance from NATCA National concerning the Shutdown that will take place at midnight tonight. If you have any questions or concerns reach out to your E board or me (206.406.0194) ASAP.
Alex Navarro III
The likely-hood of a Government Shutdown is a near certainty. With that in mind, here is an option to help anyone that may need some fiscal help to weather the storm from SkyOne Federal Credit Union:
Good afternoon everyone. Here are a couple items for your consumption:
Dec 21st is the new deadline to reach a deal to avert a shutdown. Based on the posturing that has already taken place, our national legislative experts believe the likelihood of shutting the government down is near certain. The most recent prediction is that it could even last until the new Congress takes their seats on 1/3/2019. In the coming days I will make sure to get information from SkyOne specifically for anyone that might need a little fiscal assistance to get through the shutdown as our paychecks might stop but our personal bills will not.
I’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that we have a wonderful avenue to resolve issues of professionalism and conduct in Professional Standards (CBA Art 52). We need not go directly to management to resolve issues in their heavy handed and punitive ways when we have a confidential, paperless option to have frank discussions and resolve matters at the lowest level. Given the administration that is in place, they have made it no secret that they are not labor friendly and even tried (and failed) to break our union via Executive Order. What is happening often, however, is the Labor Relations department is pursuing any path toward discipline against us at any opportunity they can find. The amount and length of the suspensions that regularly come out of the LR side is proof. If we go to management first, we are putting our people into the teeth of this same LR group. Consider giving Professional Standards a chance to resolve your issues. Even if you think it’s not the correct avenue, ask any of our reps and let them determine if they can accept the issue or not. Speaking of our local Professional Standards Reps they are:
M’Lynda Jallinger
Tony Germann
Andy Olsen
Pablo Pescador
Denise Spencer
Please give them an opportunity to resolve issues at the lowest, confidential, and paperless level. We have enough of an obstacle contending with management, LR, and this administration looking for ways to be punitive that we shouldn’t help them in that quest.
As always, thank you for the opportunity to represent you and be on the look out for further updates regarding the looming Shutdown.
-Alex Navarro III
Dear Member
In their continued effort to make me look bad, Congress has agreed to extend the government funding through December 21st. Congressional leaders and White House officials agreed yesterday to extend a government funding deadline by two weeks setting up the possibility of a shutdown showdown just ahead of Christmas. That ought to be pretty popular with the 660,000 federal employees this affects.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the decision, was made because of the observances surrounding the death of former president George H.W. Bush. It's ironic that this battle is getting sidelined to memorialize Bush who, as president, worked with Democrats in Congress to balance the budget through tax increases and spending cuts and who said during his inaugural address, "The American public did not send us here to bicker."
Note that this is just an agreement and has not been signed yet but it probably will be by the time I send this out so rest easy... for two more weeks.
In Solidarity,
Richard Kennington
Northwest Mountiain Legislative Chair
All
As mentioned in a previous update, the FAA is facing a shutdown on Friday, December 7th, because the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill has not passed. Some of you may be confused because you heard that FAA Authorization passed in October and covered us for 5 years. This is true and it was a welcome development. But remember, to fund any portion of the government, it is a two-step process. Money must be authorized… think if it as making a budget. But just because a budget is made, it doesn’t allocate the money, that happens in the appropriations process.
There are 12 appropriations bills that must be passed to fund the entire government. Four have not passed so that is why you are hearing talk of a “partial shutdown”. The FAA is included in one of those four.
So what is the likelihood of a shutdown and will it just be one of those ones that happens over the weekend so hardly anyone notices? Our Government Affairs Staff and the current feeling on Capitol Hill is that we will have a shutdown and it will not be a quick one.
Just today, Politico ran the headline Trump meeting with Pelosi and Schumer canceled as shutdown looms. The death of former President George H.W. Bush is dominating Washington even as federal funding expires Friday.
Trump is looking for 5 billion dollars for “the wall” but the Democrats want to agree to something between nothing and 1.5 billion. This is Trumps last real opportunity given the swing of the house in the November elections. Trump views a shutdown as a vehicle to get his funding. It also gets him closer to Christmas where putting people out of work would be very unpopular and potentially force the other side to agree to his terms.
The death of President Bush throws a wrinkle into the equation. It is my personal opinion that Congress and the Administration will agree to a short-term extension of approximately one week due to the negotiating time lost because of Bush’s passing. We will see how I do.
In the meantime, look out for one another and keep ‘em separated,
Richard Kennington
Northwest Mountain Legislative Chair