Table of Contents
From The President
From The CEO
This article is going to be short this month, I am taking annual leave for the next three weeks.
The Board of Directors met, and had a very good meeting. The Public Relations Team is going to have telecons to get started, they are scheduled to work the AOPA convention in PSP, and EAA fly-in at OSH. I am soliciting the names of members who might be interested in maintaining the NAATS WEB page. Since the termination of Jeb Burnside, the WEB page has not been updated since December. Send me your name and some ideas of what you would like to do with the WEB page. I have selected the three people to fill the temporary details at FAA Headquarters in Washington DC. They are:
Thank you to the other six applicants, I am in hopes of using the other six applicants in some other details that might show up in the next year.
The Results are In !
The Advisory referendum results are
now final:
If you have any comments on suggestions on the procedure used please contact the Referendum Lead Bill Dolan. His address and telephone numbers are on the back of this publication.
On March 2, I attended the Administrator's RTCA NAS Modernization briefing in McLean, Virginia. In this particular meeting there were no concerns for us but at least we're now included in the overall process. The architecture and operational concept for Flight Service will eventually be rolled into the NAS Modernization so it's essential that we continue to participate in these meetings. My thanks to PASS President Mike Fanfalone for his help in getting us included.
At the time of this writing (March 6), we still do not have a resolution on the FLRA "covered by" doctrine. The issue has now been included in the FAA Partnership Process and NAATS, NATCA and PASS have submitted a proposal that would be a fair understanding on how the doctrine would be applied. Our ULP is still pending and as soon as we settle this matter we'll proceed promptly with contract negotiations. Our hope is to begin sometime in April.
At the last Board meeting it was decided that we would include the pay bargaining during regular contract negotiations. I support this decision as it makes no sense to me to incur the additional expense of separate NAATS bargaining teams. Please remember -- if you have any questions or comments regarding the reclassification document you should direct them to the work group lead Don McLennan (contact information on back of newsletter). Your comments on the pay attached to the reclassifcation document should go to either your regional representatives or me.
We're continuing to work closely with NATCA and PASS to address areas of mutual concern. I've met twice recently with NATCA President, Mike McNally and PASS President, Mike Fanfalone to conceptualize how we will cooperate in the future. I believe that this cooperation, if structured properly, can be very beneficial for our membership.
This is an extremely important time of the year congressionally and President Mike McAnaw is working with Government Relations Director, Hal Gross on our Appropriations Hearing testimony. Hal is also coordinating his Capitol Hill efforts with his PASS and NATCA counterparts.
I want to take this opportunity to thank our representatives at FAA HQ. Jim Parris, Laura Morales, Terry Lankford and Scott Chapman have all done exceptional jobs during their one-year details; we all owe them a debt of gratitude.
WSNJ Radio (107.7 FM) broadcast an "Off the Cuff" interview by Paul Hunsberger with CEO Wally Pike the evening of April 9 from 7:15 to 730pm. Labor Relations Director Mike Doring's interview will be aired the following evening in the same timeframe.
Mr. Hunsberger has interviewed a wide range of people from Pearl Buck to Mrs. Babe Ruth but never anyone twice. Topics include FSS staffing and consolidation. WSNJ covers the New Jersey, Penn sylvania and northern Maryland broadcast area.
To the Editor:
While in San Diego I received a suggestion from a specialist at the SAN AFSS and wish to see what the membership thinks.
Regarding seniority He (I forgot his name, my apologies), suggested standardizing seniority nationwide, so that when one transfers from one facility to another, that the seniority remain constant. Especially valid if a transfer is not voluntary, i.e. closures. His idea was:
I like this idea...what does everyone else think? Should we ask the BOD to put this in our next contract? E-mail me your ideas.
Andrea Chay - CXO AFSS [email protected]
| GOT SOMETHING ON YOUR MIND? Please submit your Letters to the Editor through your Regional Director. Important: It must be signed and it must comply with the NAATS News editorial policy. Anonymous letters will NOT be published! |
NAATS Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Location: Silver Springs, MD
Dates: March 10-12,1998
1.) Minutes to January Board meeting.
Discussion and motion to approve minutes from January meeting. Motion adopted.
2.) President's Report.
a.) CPP MOU issues discussed.
b.) Applicants for NAATS FAA Headquarters jobs:
- ATO ----- Ms. Holmes-- IPT
- ARS ----- Mr. Torres --- DRI
- ARW ---- Mr. Barnes--- BNA
Motion to approve President's recommendations for details. Motion adopted.
c.) 1998 Budget discussion.
d.) Briefing on NPC, NFPC, and DOT Partnership.
e.) NAATS National election time frame:
April 15th
National election committee formed (done) James Mooney RDU, Paul Mc-Donald AND, John Elwood SEA.
May 15th
Election announcement mailed to membership (include nomination form).
June 20th
Nominations closed.
July 15th
Nominations acceptance closed.
August 5th
Election bulletin and ballots mailed to membership.
September I0th
Ballots must be in Post Office box by end of business (5pm EDT).
September 11th
Election committee verifies membership and then counts ballots. Notify winners and losers, and advise of runoff election if necessary.
Note: The New President and winners of election will attend Board meeting and membership meeting in September.
3.) CEO's Report (Wally Pike):
a.) Negotiations: still waiting for dialog on covered by from FAA.
b.) Contract negotiations: no movement.
c.) ALC's status, Wally will be having a meeting with McNally (NATCA President), and Fanfalone (PASS President) this Friday. The meeting of NATCA, PASS, and NAATS Board of Directors rescheduled for first part of April.
d.) Office report—All is well.
4.) LMR Report (Mike Daring):
a.) FACREP training: March 26th and 27th in Reno NV.
b.) Arbitration: None scheduled at this time.
c.) Grievances: Still needs package for arbitration requests.
d.) Arbitration's Committee formulation recommendation.
Motion that the arbitration committee consist of the President, LAIR Director, and the Executive Director. Motion adopted.
Motion to revise distribution of training funds to make each Director responsible for ensuring the scheduling of training their representatives. Motion adopted.
5.) Legislative report (Hal Gross):
Briefed the board on FAA budget and on PAC Action. Hal will be working with Directors in finalizing testimony to Appropriations committee Due Friday March 20th to President.
6.) Public Relations Team (Larry Burdick):
Briefed the board on some future preliminary ideas for Public Relations Team to develop.
*Action item for PRT—Develop presentation for NAATS to deliver to AOPA convention in PSP, and OSH EAA fly-in.
7.) Reclassification Team (Don McLennan)
Don McLennan, briefed the Board in the draft Reclassification package, Board to recommend two changes to draft, and then accept proposal.
8.) Directors Reports:
9.) Open Topics:
a.) Constitution interpretation of Article 7
b.) NAATS Board policies—discussion.
c.) AOPA—PRT and President at AOPA Convention October 23-25th in Palm Springs CA.
d.) EAA Fly-in Oshkosh WI. July ??, will also use PRT to staff booth.
e.) Staffing numbers—turned over to PRT.
f.) Office hours. Motion to change NAATS HO hours to 9am to 5pm Eastern. Motion adopted.
g.) NAATS WEB page. *Action Item Don McLennan—ask John Dibble what it will take to get Web page back into NAATS control.
h.) Comisky vision memo to Board — discussion. Comisky to follow-up.
i.) Gunnell, briefed the Board on Employee Attitude Survey (EAS).
j.) Human Factors—discussion of national issues potential impact.
k.) DF survey—Dolan briefed Board and will take lead on survey.
10.) Issues for June Board meeting:
a.) SUASCE Fort Worth project.
b.) Future projects for PRT.
c.) Resolution on Executive Director position.
Eli Morrissy, Editor
I've always believed that membership in a union is a truly proactive endeavor. After all, a union is a group of people in a particular field banding together to look after their mutual interests. Joining a union means you are not content to let others (i.e. management) unilaterally decide what is best for you and your co-workers.
You can imagine my disappointment upon seeing the final count on the Advisory Referendum. Only 619 conscientious members gave their input on a matter that could have far-reaching impact on us all: What sort of pay structure will the Flight Service option have in the future?
I know that there were about 200 or so members who didn't get the referendum because of out of date addresses on file back at NAATS HQ. But what happened to all the others?
Over the years, I've heard a number of members say they want more say in what NAATS does. Then time comes to tell our Board what they want and some of these same people can't bring themselves to do what they said they wanted.
As I see it, f I don't cast my vote for what (or who in the case of elections later this year) I want, I know there are plenty of other people who will— and I might not like what (or who) they choose. Personally, I'd rather be out-voted than never speak up at all.
| EDITOR'S NOTE: The opinion expressed above is strictly MY opinion and in no any way resect the views of the union or any of its national, regional or local leadership. |
OSHECOM, OSHECOM, WHERE ART THOU, OSHECOM
Suzanne Pellosma, OSH Chair.
Last month you did not see an article from me and for this I do apologize but I have had quite a hectic schedule as of lately. I have been to FAA headquarters for a couple of safety workshops on the topics of "confined workspaces" and on "roles and responsibilities"- these workshops have to do with the FAA trying to update their OSH program, the 3900.19A. See, the FAA is currently utilizing a process, whereas, they send out a draft of a new chapter (various topics) to the field to include unions, for their input and comment. The workshop addresses the comments from the field and unions, and makes changes as they go along to then come up with the finished chapter. Present at these workshops do include regional safety personnel, AEE, ANS500, PASS, NATCA, NAGE, NAATS, and sometimes a field expert. I think this is a very good idea, which poses my question to you, if you do have any ideas on safety and health, or if you have seen anything in the 3900.19A, which you have specific comments on, please get these to your regional NAATS OSH rep, or to myself as soon as possible. (Of course, all the regional reps please pass info to me). Future workshops will be coming up in the near future and the only date I have as such, will be an asbestos workshop at the end of March, which will probably be too late, but if you have any specific comments reference asbestos, get them to me immediately, and I shall try to see what I can do. Future workshops will include such topics as indoor air quality/HVAC, office safety/ergonomics, fall protection, hazard communication, hearing conservation, job analysis/hazard, mishap reporting/investigation, lockout/tagout, etc. So as you can see, we will be having a busy year, AEE wants to cover these subjects by the fiscal year. (September 1998). My major concerns for flight service stations include, indoor air quality/HVAC systems, ergonomics, lighting, stress management, and safety training itself.
This past month, I also attended the National OSHECOM held at FAA headquarters. From this meeting, I gathered there are still problems occurring with the progress of the establishment of field and regional OSHEOCM's. The OSHECOM charter was signed off by our union headquarters thereby, acknowledging the guidelines and policy for establishing these committees at the national, regional, and field levels. Most of the regional committees should have been formed by now and hopefully trained as well. If your regional committee has not had its formal training or if you are not completely satisfied with such training, please contact me at your convenience. As far as the field committees, I do have a few issues to state. AEE (at FAA headquarters) is trying to put together an OSHECOM guidance package and I do have concerns with the original content. I am currently in the process of trying to have this package amended but I would like for all our field level committees (and regional committees) to utilize the NAATS Safety Committee Guidelines Workshop that was sent to each facility (the FACREP should have a copy) and also to utilize the charter itself as a reference for these committees. Before leaving the issue of field/regional OSHECOMs, please note the following guidelines:
a. Note the OSHECOM functions as described by the charter and the NAATS Safety committee package and ensure that your committee safety and health training is commensurate to such. Your committee does have certain responsibilities and is accountable to the facility. (Hint: I would not accept any training unless it is given by an instructor/trainer qualified in the safety and health field and correlates to your committee functions.)
b. The FAA OSH Program, 3900.19A is being updated but still is in effect so make sure that a copy of this order is available for committee use. (Remember this program should be included as part of your committee training.)
c. Committee Roles and Responsibilities are listed in the 29CFR1960 (and also in the charter) and should be included as part of your committee training.
d. If half the members of the committee are not satisfied with the FAA's response to a report of hazardous working conditions, an OSHA inspection or evaluation can be requested. Please remember this.
Note: If any of the field committees do have concerns reference their formal safety and health training, or any other comment, please contact the regional NAA TS OSH rep or myself.
HIGHLIGHTS OF OSHA'S REGULATORY
STANDARDS FOR 1998
Here is a recent comment made by Charles Jeffress, Assistant Secretary for Labor of Occupational Safety and Health, on the ergonomics issue:
"I want to make progress in several standard's areas. Clearly, repetitive motion and cumulative trauma are hurting people. I want to push ahead with an ergonomics standard, and foster educational programs that spread best-practice information to employers. I will also push for a safety and health program standard. This will require every company to have a program that addresses the safety and health of it's employees. "
Final Rule Stage
Action: *Injury/illness—Recordkeeping
The final rule will reflect the public input on the proposed rule which was issued in Feb 1996. (final rule, Jan 1 1999)
Proposed Rule Stage
Action: *Safety and Health Programs
Although the rule's precise scope has yet to be determined, it will focus on serious hazards, eliminate medical surveillance, and reduce the burden on small businesses. (June 1998 proposal)
Action: *PEL's for Air Contaminants (.1000)
OSHA is developing a regular process for routinely examining and updating the 470 PELS's for regulated air contaminants in the Z-tables. (March 1998 proposal)
Action: *Ergonomics
OSHA has formed a team to evaluate options for a regulatory approach to ergonomic problems. These include variations in the scope of coverage regarding industrial sectors, work processes, and the degree of hazard; and phasing-in options relating to facility size. (no date set)
Action: *Occupational exposure to TB (.1035)
On Oct 17, 1997, OSHA issued a proposal providing protection for workers exposed to TB bacterium. OSHA will be holding public meetings and conducting additional studies before the rule is finalized. (no set date)
Action: *Revision for access/egress (.35-.38)
Revise and simplify this standard. Be written in plain English. (Final-December 1997)
Long Term Proposal
Action: *Indoor Air Quality (.1033)
Require indoor air quality compliance plans including inspection and maintenance of current ventilation systems and separate enclosed smoking rooms. (no date set)
Terry Lankford
Oakland AFSS
Volume 5: Issue 5 of Jeppesen's CFI Renewal Program contains an interview with broadcast meteorologist and pilot.
In part it states: "...where I fly, I have access to the Internet and access to all the services used by weather briefers. I still prefer live weather briefers. I still want the interaction with the weather briefer simply because I can get the all-important local interpretation."
IS YOUR MAILING ADDRESS UP-TO-DATE?
For those who missed last month's newsletter, here's another reminder to update your address information with Carol Dubin, our Headquarters Office Manager. 1998 is an election year. In order to receive national ballot packages, every NAATS member must have their address information up-to-date and correct. So, have you moved or had any other changes in the last three years, this reminder message is meant for you.
Again, to make it easier for everyone to accomplish this important task, a Member's Information Update Form has been created and appears on the back page of the NAT TS News each month. Simply photocopy it (so others can still read the newsletter), fill it in, and mail or fax it to NAATS. Carol will see to the rest.
Article Submissions for the NAATS News
FOR THE NATIONAL SECTION
The following may submit articles without being reviewed: NAATS President, NAATS CEO, NAATS Labor Relations Director, NAATS Chief Negotiator.
FOR THE REGIONAL SECTION
If a Director, FAA HQ NAATS representative or the NAATS Government Relations Liaison submits an article for the national section it is to be reviewed by the NAATS President prior to publication. If a Regional Coordinator, FACREP, Regional NFP Coordinator or member submits an article it is to be reviewed by the appropriate Regional Director prior to publication.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Please submit your Letters to the Editor through your Regional Director. Important: Your letter must be signed and it must comply with the NAATS News editorial policy. Anonymous letters will not be published!
DEADLINES
The deadline for articles to be included in the next month's NAATS News is the 18th of the current month.
EDITORIAL POLICY
The NAATS News will not publish material which is inflammatory or scurrilous, libelous, attacks members by name, attacks NAATS, or which contains words or phrases that are in poor taste and likely to be unnecessarily offensive..
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