You can register HERE. Please join us if you can. Our RVP Eddie DeLisle will be in attendance and this will be family friendly.
We will also be conducting a Local meeting in conjunction with this event where we can entertain local constitution changes. If you have a change that you want to submit, please do so by 1/19/19 as all submissions must be input NLT 30 days prior to a meeting with a minimum of 21 days posting time. The local constitution can be accessed HERE.
Here are the latest happenings:
The shutdown is now the longest in history. NATCA has filed a lawsuit alleging that the government unlawfully deprived NATCA members of their earned wages without due process. More on this as it develops.
The media and legislative blitz that NATCA and it’s members have been on nationally has been nothing short of amazing. Please continue to stay engaged and share as many stories of activism to end this shutdown and reach out to members on the Hill as often as possible.
Locally, we have been meeting with politicians, supporting protests and a leaf letting campaign will begin at Sea-Tac Airport on Tues and Thursday next week in an effort to raise awareness and end this unnecessary shutdown. I was able to talk with Senator Murray on Friday where I spoke of impacts both today and in the future as a result of this shutdown. She also used some hand-written letters that WA NATCA members wrote in a speech that you can see HERE. Additionally, Denise Spencer and I were able to participate in a Shutdown Roundtable with Congresswoman Kim Schrier this morning. She was very receptive and assured us that she is doing everything in her power to re-open the government. Last but not least, Congressman Rick Larsen hosted a meeting with multiple NATCA members this morning. You can see his post HERE. Please reach out to me (reply to this or call/text me at 206.406.0194) if you’re interested in helping out.
Finally, I would like to commend everyone for staying razor sharp throughout all of this. You have been amazing and it has not gone unnoticed. Eventually this shutdown will end but a lasting impression of NATCA and it’s members will be that we were unshakable and performed at the highest level when those on the Hill were gridlocked. As always, thank you for the opportunity to represent you and this local.
Dina from SkyOne will be setting up in the cafeteria tomorrow around 10 am. Please take this time to talk with her about what SkyOne can provide for you during this Shutdown and any other services they offer. Thank you.
The following letter was sent to the RVPs and FacReps this morning,
Just learned that the DOT has directed the FAA that starting tomorrow, FAA is required to report absences due to sickness to DOT at core 30 towers, large TRACONs, and Enroute facilities by noon each day. It will include normal sick leave usage as a comparison.
I’ve offered to get our reps connected to the reporting process at the local level to provide some level of accuracy, but will keep you apprised.
Seems this is based on media reports of organized sick outs. I’m told it's not just FAA, likely TSA has been directed to do the same.
More as it develops.
Dean Iacopelli
What does this mean?
With the increased publicity of the shutdown and how it affects federal employees, it is imperative that ATC does not become associated with an en masse sick out or any kind of job action. Such action is a fireable offense. The above policy is a precursor for the DOT directing the Agency to start taking action on employees that are viewed as abusing sick leave or causing a job action. For the benefit of everyone when this shutdown ends, it is important that ATC is seen as stepping up to the plate and not falling down on the job. It will help everyone in the long run when Congress is determining if Furlough leave will be back paid. Articles like the ones about the TSA calling in sick are not helpful when it comes to public opinion of how we handled our duties during this Shutdown.
Please be mindful of expressing or sharing sentiments on social media that could be construed as a call for sick leave abuse. And please utilize unrecorded phone lines when calling work so it's one less thing they can use against us.
A - 2538043005
B - 2538043006
C - 2538043007
D - 2538043008
With that in mind, it is perfectly fine to take leave but please, request and use leave in accordance with the contract.
Please know, that in DC, every effort is being made to communicate the hardships that you all face and bring this standoff to a swift conclusion. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to a member of your E-Board.
The latest on the horrible shutdown:
As of 1/3/18 the government has ruled that Article 2 sec 15 and Article 3 in the 2016 CBA are prohibited activities. What this means is that I cannot be on official time unless it is to rep a BUE in specific scenarios (drug testing, discipline, negotiations, meeting with management) and that our RVPs are automatically furloughed until the conclusion of this shutdown. Although I will be on a regular M-F rotation, I will not let this interrupt my duties as the facility rep. I might take a little longer to get back to you all during the day, but, I should have no problem communicating after 3 pm daily.
The FAA Academy officially closed it’s doors this week with hopes of re-opening on 1/22/18. We are well aware of how bad a development this is.
The Senate has adjourned until Tuesday 1/8/18, which means that we will likely suffer this shutdown until at least then.
NATCA has organized a Lobby Week on the Hill for next week where over 80 activists will be in attendance to visit EVERY office on the Hill and educate/remind them of the devastating effects this shutdown is having.
That said, the NATCA email campaign (HERE) is still underway. If you haven’t filled this out, please do so. NATCA has also started lighting up the switch boards and you can too if you call this 844-336-1123. You will be patched through to your representative’s office where you can speak your concern. Please reach out and tell them to end this shutdown. Keep in mind, if you have a partisan message you want to deliver, try to do that as an individual and not frame it as a NATCA stance.
Finally, I was asked to do an interview this week to discuss the shutdown (As you can tell, this shutdown is killing me). If you get any requests from the media, please let me know ASAP so NATCA National can either prep you for the interview or put a willing participant in place.
