Facility Update July 19th

Monthly NATCA T-shirt Day

At our last EBoard meeting, Kenny Courts suggested that we have a monthly NATCA shirt day. Everyone loved the idea, so I would like to announce that we will start this tradition on Thursday, August 15th. This will be on the 15th of every month. Wear your favorite NATCA shirt and get a chance to win one of two $25 gift cards monthly. Find a rep to get a ticket. We will announce the winners within the week following the 15th.

Communicating For Safety (CFS)

Next Thursday, July 25th, is the deadline to put in for excused absence to go to CFS. Go to the CFS website (linked below), fill out the national request form AND fill out, print the local request form, and turn it in to the OM desk. Please have them put the date/time on there when they sign it. If you think there is a possibility you can get off the schedule, go ahead and do these steps anyway. After you have secured the time off, you can register for CFS. CFS dates are September 16-18th. More info HERE.

Amy

Facility Update July 11th

Project 2025

I am sure most people are familiar with Project 2025 and its entails. What you might not know is how it will directly impact your job and our ability to protect you as a union. Northwest Mountain has put together an excellent presentation. The first of many briefings is today at 9 a.m., and I will be streaming it in the office. Please stop in, even if it’s only for a couple of minutes. If you’d like to stream at home, HERE is the link.

Communicating For Safety (CFS)

We are approaching the deadline to put in for excused absence to go to CFS. If you think there is a possibility you can get off the schedule, fill out the request, and turn it in to the OM desk. CFS dates are September 16-18th. More info HERE.

You will be hearing a lot about Campaign 2024 this year; please do not ignore it. I assure you that this is not hyperbole; this election is the most important one of our lives. Do not sleep on this. I will provide you with more information as I get it and will also provide you with opportunities to get involved.

In Solidarity,

Amy Sizemore

Facility Update June 20th

Northwest Mountain T-Shirt Drives

There are two new NNM shirts available for purchase, I printed up a flyer and a QR code for each of them, they are in the bulletin board. The first one is for Pride month. All proceeds go to Inside Out Youth Services, a charity dedicated to serving the LGTBQIA+ youth community in Colorado. That one is available until July 6th. The second one just launched today and features two brand-new logos. These patriotic shirts will benefit Project Sanctuary, a charity created to focus on the families of military members nationwide. Here are the links if you would like to learn more and see the designs:

PRIDE SHIRT

PATRIOTIC SHIRT

Your Vote, Your Union!

As you may or may not know, our NATCA National election is underway for President, Executive Vice President, and Regional Vice President.

It's crucial that we have as close to 100% participation as possible. Your vote is your voice. This is how we collectively make a difference.

Showing strong participation sends a clear message to the agency that we are united and engaged. Don’t let low participation diminishing the impact of our collective voice. We cannot afford to let our ambivalence be weaponized.

All members have the right to vote in this election.

New members are entitled to a ballot as long as they joined by July 15, 2024.

Missing Ballots can be replaced with a duplicate as long as your request for a duplicate is received by July 16, 2024.

If you haven't received your ballot yet, please email natcaelection2024@natca.org right away.

Please ensure your ballot is mailed by July 15th, all ballots are due by and will be counted on July 30, 2024.

If you have questions about the candidates or need assistance with election related items, please reach out to any of your NATCA reps. We're here to help and can provide you with the answers and support you need.

Let's come together and ensure our voices are heard, loud and clear. This is YOUR union. Please participate in this election.

In Solidarity,

Amy

Facility Update June 14th

Construction Update

I have been assured the big parking lot will open next week. They might block off the front parking lot this weekend in preparation for that. The lights will be turned off on Monday. I had to move some of the appliances around in some of the areas today to ensure Tech Ops had access to enough plug-ins for the supplemental lights. Please don’t move any appliances around or unplug any extension cords, we’ll go back to standard ops when this project is over in about a month.

Member in Need

Most people are aware of the Voluntary Leave Donation Program, it is intended to supplement someone’s leave balance when they have had to deplete it due to family or personal circumstances. We have someone in the facility who could use your help, Anthony Greer, a trainee in the A area has been approved to be on this program. He gave me permission to share his story:

"My mother, who has multiple sclerosis and lupus, was recently diagnosed with congenital heart disease after experiencing a shortness of breath and symptoms of pneumonia. She lives in Arkansas, and was hospitalized in the middle of moving apartments. I took time off to help her move from Little Rock to Fayetteville, AR, and to take her to doctor’s appointments and help monitor her medication over the course of a couple months. I exhausted all my accrued annual and sick leave in the process. “

Thanks for reading Anthony’s story. Please consider donating any leave you can by accessing the link below behind an FAA firewall.  

All leave donations must be made from an FAA computer https://ahrweb.faa.gov/ovltp/.

NATCA’s Birthday BBQ

Reminder: This Tuesday, June 18th, we will be having a BBQ out front from 11 to 1. We will have a variety of hot dogs and burgers, including some meatless options. Shout out to Jon Jones, he handmade a set of cornhole tables that will be out there to use too! I look forward to this being the first of many events that our new events committee puts together for us!

Thank you all,

Amy

Facility Update June 5th

If you haven’t already, please spend one minute filling out this SURVEY. This will help the events committee know what people are interested in when they plan the next event.

Control Room and Break Room Cleaning

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be clearing out excess items in the control room that are no longer used, do not comply with OSHA standards, or are simply trash. If you have any personal items such as coats, coffee makers, or other appliances behind the consoles, please remove them immediately. Alternatively, let me know if there is something you need me to set aside. Unclaimed items will be donated or discarded.

Once the control room is cleared, I will move on to the reading room and pool room. If any gaming consoles in the pool room belong to you, please retrieve them. All books in the reading room will be donated, so feel free to take any you want before they’re gone.

Construction Update

The parking lot project was delayed due to recent storms but should be completed soon.

The lights were initially scheduled to be turned off last Monday, but due to unforeseen issues, the process was delayed. While testing the supplemental lighting yesterday, the light panel got damaged, pushing the timeline back by approximately one month. We will keep you posted.

Election Information

Your participation in the upcoming election is crucial. While not everyone can/wants to volunteer for NATCA positions or details, voting is a way everyone can contribute. Make sure your voice is heard. Educate yourself about the candidates by visiting their websites, attending town halls, and asking any questions you may have. The e-board is also available to provide additional information if you wish too.

Thank you,

Amy Sizemore