New Years Eve Update

Just a few things before we ring in 2019:

• Local Leave tracking - After speaking with management today, they will be tracking leave in accordance with the CBA. No leave shall be approved during the shutdown. However, for a leave request of any sort, it will be processed in the normal manner. It will just show as furlough and have notes added to show what type of leave this was intended to be (SL, AL, etc). They will be advising those that do not have the balance to cover the requested leave under normal circumstances that they are going to add the note of AWOL. I cannot stress enough that the idea of “free leave” is misleading and that the intention is to revert all absences to what the notes reflect. This may or may not stick, but I needed everyone to be aware of the possibility.

• Shutdown Flu - As you may or may not have read, the agency is experiencing a sharp spike in SL that coincides with the shutdown that management is calling the Shutdown Flu. NATCA calls it SL. If you need to use SL in accordance with the CBA, that is your entitlement and you should do it. If you don’t meet the criteria in the CBA for SL, the expectation is for you to report to work like normal. In the NNM, we have been the shining example of immunity as the East Coast has been ravaged. I can’t thank you all enough for keeping your professionalism and work ethic intact.

• Anti-Shutdown Message to Capital Hill - This brings me to the effort to show all on Capital Hill that this Shutdown is unacceptable. This is not a partisan stance and is not asking for a specific solution to end to the shutdown. This is simply a call to an end to this madness and dysfunction. If you have not used the link HERE please do so. It takes less than a couple of minutes and is very effective. I know from my many times on the Hill speaking to our Reps that they remember message avalanches that hit them and they respond. Please take a moment to fill this out and share with EVERYONE you can. (Also, we’re ahead of ZDV in the count and I’d like to keep it that way since they like crap teams like the Broncos).

This year has been an experience and I am grateful for the ups and downs. It has been, and continues to be, a learning experience and I am fortunate to be able to serve this great local for as long as you’ll let me. Please continue to critique and support us and thanks again for the opportunity. Have a Happy and Safe New Years!!

Alex Navarro III

Executive Pay Freeze by NNM Legislative Rep, Richard Kennington

(Disclaimer: Please don’t use the links at work or on government computers)

Dear Members

After months of speculation, President Trump followed through on a March proposal and instituted a pay freeze for federal civilian employees. In an executive order issued yesterday, Trump confirmed that pay would remain stagnant next year for non-military federal workers. Members of the military services will receive a 2.6 percent raise in 2019.

If you remember, leading up to the shutdown, the Senate passed a 1.9 percent increase for federal workers in their version of the appropriations bill, but the House did not act. So without a Congressional override, the freeze takes affect.

BUT it is possible the new Congress could vote to give federal employees a raise.

Although the order means that federal workers will not receive a raise in January, hope for a pay increase is not lost. Democratic lawmakers have said they plan to overrule the decision and give federal workers a 1.9 percent pay increase once they take control of the House, retroactive to the beginning 2019. The raise would need to be added to the legislation lawmakers pass to break the stalemate over spending that has resulted in a partial government shutdown. There will have to be some major compromises to break the current stalemate and federal salaries could be one of the paws used.

 Obviously NATCA continues to fight to end the  shutdown and return the furloughed to work, restore paychecks, and advocate for federal salaries. The first step we are asking the membership to take is to spend ONE MINUTE and send an email to their Members of Congress. So far 17% of our region has participated. There literally is no reason why this isn't 100%. Here is the link again, feel free to share it with your family and friends. You can also click here.... or here... or here... well you get the idea,

In solidarity,

Richard Kensington

New Local Voucher

Effective Jan 1, 2019, We will be using a new Local Reimbursement Voucher. It can be found at any time on the main webpage at the bottom under Quick Links, or on the Links page of the Website.

You can also save a copy by clicking HERE

Thanks

Devin Carlisto

NNM RVP Eddie DeLisle Update

All,

As you are all aware, the government has been partially shutdown due to a lack of appropriations. I commend you for not letting the shutdown affect safety or our professionalism. Our careers and our profession are once again an unfortunate consequence of legislative disagreements.

With a high-profile profession such as ours, public perception is critical. Currently, we are in a good position but we must remain vigilant. Please remember to use good judgment when posting on social media and in any discussions that you may have on the frequencies or landlines.  Also, ensure that any sick leave usage is consistent with the our CBA.  

NATCA is doing everything in its power to mitigate the effects of this shutdown and protect you in the process. For further information on the shutdown, you can visit HERE (login required) 

In solidarity,

Eddie DeLisle
NNM RVP
(503) 724-0768

Rolling Shutdown Q & A

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