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#131, Aug 20, 2004
We received the FAA response to our contest of the SIR. We are busy this week
in preparing our response which is due next Monday. The FAA position is that
there is absolutely no problem with the SIR and they have refused to
participate in ADR on any of the issues we raised.
We have responded to the Lockheed protest concerning our standing to contest
the SIR. Since a considerable part of our SIR contest dealt with private
sector vendors being advantaged over the MEO, I guess it isn't surprising that
the vendors wouldn't want us to have any voice in the matter. Our legal team
has been very effective and responsive; a special thanks to Kate Breen for all
her help this week.
All members should be aware that both the FAA and the A76 vendors are reading
our website material. In some cases they are using that as justification for
arguments against our efforts. Regrettably this means we must be selective
about what we post and say in this forum to avoid outside entities
misrepresentation. Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. The
Directors are also knowledgeable on these matters.
I have sent a letter to Administrator Blakey requesting that she do as other
agency heads have done in similar A76 circumstances; that is to guarantee jobs
at the end of process for all affected employees. A copy of this letter has
been sent to Webmaster John Dibble for posting.
We are continuing to shore up congressional support to stop the study. We are
staying in close touch with the Kerry election team as well as participating
on the Transportation Policy Team.
In addition to the above, we are coordinating with our Hill allies and
considering other congressional initiatives. No decisions have been made and
some of these matters are best dealt with through back channel contacts.
Suffice it to say that we're not standing idle during this congressional
recess. We will contact you when the decision is made how to best proceed,
including the timing of grassroots support.
The BOD meeting was held last week in San Francisco. A summary of the matters
discussed will be posted on our website as soon as the necessary coordination
is accomplished.
Wally Pike
#132, September 3, 2004
Congress will return next week but we've been busy on the Hill in the
meantime. That's also the case with the FAA and the A76 vendors.
We're pleased to announce that we have reached a settlement with ACA on our
SIR contest. A copy has been sent to Webmaster John Dibble for posting.
Our two major victories are:
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ACA will present DOL with a new request for
a wage determination. This package will include our collective bargaining
agreement and any other documents we feel are relevant. We will monitor the
process and can contact DOL independently as we determined necessary.
-
We have also finally received written
assurance that the source selection will not occur prior to January 1 2005. I
do not need to tell you how significant this is.
A full accounting of how and why this
transpired will follow at a later time.
NAATS RIF Negotiator Bill Dolan sent his updates to you earlier this week.
These issues remain major concerns for us. I want to emphasize that we will
not negotiate away one entitlement to secure another. There will be no waiver
of employee rights. If the FAA can't afford to do this process correctly then
they should reconsider doing it at all.
We haven't received a response yet from FAA Administrator Blakey on my letter
of August 20. We are attempting to schedule a meeting to discuss the critical
bargaining unit concerns and the necessary accommodations.
Finally, congratulations to AK Regional Director Phil Brown and former
Regional Director Alan Baker for conducting an arbitration this week. I
testified as a witness and I thought their preparation and presentation was
excellent. Hopefully they will be rewarded with a successful ruling but the
fact that they enforced the contract is worthy of recognition. My hope is that
we'll see more of this in the future.
Wally Pike
#133, September 10, 2004
As has been noted, many non-members have access to our WebPage. For example,
one of the vendors has used part of the summary of our BOD meetings as an
argument against our interests. For that reason and on the advice of legal
counsel, the less I say here on our legal and congressional efforts the
better. All Directors have been individually briefed on issues and can keep
you updated. You can also call me as some of you have already done. We haven't
been idle on Capitol Hill; in fact we've redoubled our efforts.
Things are not always as they seem; there are reasons why things happen and
why they don't. My pledge to you is that there will be a full accounting of
all matters at the appropriate time.
I will say this about the ACA spin on our SIR settlement agreement; this is
from the same group that has consistently tried to convince you that A76 is a
good thing. They have misrepresented how they're mishandling the process in
various forum briefings as well as skewed statistics to a ridiculous extent.
You can choose to believe them when they say that securing an accurate wage
determination from DOL, which includes the collective bargaining agreement in
the package, is somehow consistent with their original intent. Some of you
might even believe them when they say delaying the source selection until no
earlier than January 1 is a minor concern.
Personally I doubt that anyone buys that propaganda but, if so, I would like
to talk to those believers about some oceanfront property I have in Oklahoma.
NAATS RIF Negotiator Bill Dolan and I have a meeting with AHR-1 Ventris Gibson
and FS Vice President Jim Washington on September 15. The purpose of the
meeting is to try to discuss and attempt to resolve these continuing issues:
-
Maximize transfers to other options
(including removing the age 31 age restriction).
-
Joint FAA/NAATS approach to congress to
allow additional crediting of time for retirement.
-
Maximize use of buyouts.
-
Agreement on interpretation of severance pay
calculations.
It's my hope that I'll have some good news
to report for a change. However, rest assured there will be no waiver of any
bargaining unit entitlements.
NAATS SO Regional Director Dave Hoover has asked that his update be circulated
nationally. It is attached as a separate document.
Wally Pike
#134, September 17, 2004
As I'm sure everyone knows the NAATS election for President did not result in
any of the three candidates receiving a majority of the votes cast. The same
result occurred in the membership vote for Eastern Regional Coordinator.
The resulting necessity for a Presidential runoff election was a contingency
that was addressed by the BOD at our last meeting. Basically we will continue
our national operation as currently comprised through the month of October to
allow all members the opportunity to vote. The new president will then take
office on November 1.
In the interim it is entirely appropriate that the BOD include both
Presidential candidates in our deliberations. To that end I've invited Larry Dupre to participate fully in all BOD functions (telcons, meetings, email
updates); Kate Breen has already been doing so in accordance with her current
duties. Directors-elect Mike Sheldon (NE) and Richard Anderson (SO) are also
included in all deliberations.
NAATS RIF Negotiator Bill Dolan and I met with AHR-1 Ventris Gibson, ALR-1 Mel
Harris and FS Vice President Jim Washington to discuss the RIF negotiations
status and other accommodations for adversely affected employees. Bill Dolan
is responsible for these matters and will be updating you today on the results
of this meeting. You should direct any questions and comments to him
concerning these issues.
As many of you are aware, the Senate appropriations bill, S2806, contains an
amendment by Senator Mikulski (D-MD). We are continuing our work with her
staff as well as that of Representative Steny Hoyer (D-MD, who also sponsors
A76 language) on our A76 situation. It is prudent that I not go into any more
detail regarding our congressional activity at this time.
Wally Pike
#135, September 24, 2004
We're continuing to participate on the Kerry Transportation Policy Team and
with his election team. Our latest congressional activities, however, are
centered on the possible re-election of President Bush and how that relates to
our A-76. There are several opportunities we're using to talk with key
Republican legislators about the ramifications to outsourcing our critical
element of ATC. With the elections in full-swing the timing is good for member
access and we're trying to take full advantage to fully educate them on what's
truly at stake.
Like it or not, a lot of the access is through fundraisers which makes our PAC
fund all the more important. CXO FacRep Brian Gleich has worked with SW
Regional Director Mark Jaffe on a PAC fund drive. You'll find their work
attached -- please post in a prominent place on your bulletin board and
distribute as appropriate.
This week has been busy with the DOL package, which went in Thursday,
regarding the wage determination. As soon as our attorneys concur we will post
all information on the website.
By the time you get this you will have received Bill Dolan's update on his
discussion today with AHR-1 Ventris Gibson. My understanding is that she,
Administrator Blakey and Deputy Administrator Sturgell will meet Monday to
discuss the issues and will then contact Bill later in the day.
I have a meeting with Administrator Blakey scheduled on September 30. The
agenda will be driven by what Bill hears next Monday.
Initial feedback on the manager's meeting this week has been positive.
Apparently the managers expressed their concerns to Administrator Blakey and
FS Vice President Jim Washington. I've heard some interesting rumors about
commitments made during that meeting but we'll wait until we receive
confirmation from either Ms. Gibson or Ms. Blakey.
As soon as we have firm information we will advise all.
Wally Pike
136, September 30, 2004
For personal reasons, Bill Dolan has decided to step down as our RIF
Negotiator. Chief Negotiator Scott Malon will assume all Bill's
responsibilities effective October 3. Thanks to Bill for his work and best
wishes on his future.
Late this afternoon I met with Administrator Blakey and Deputy Administrator
Bobby Sturgell. The meeting lasted for about 1 1/2 hours and it was
characterized by a very frank and open discussion of a wide range of topics
not the least of which were morale and working conditions.
Some rumors from the managers' conference in Baltimore last week were
addressed.
Our alternative cost savings proposal. The Administrator
accurately reflected the events of June 2003 when I made presented the
proposal. Specifically, the proposal was high level and "close hold" but it
was also detailed and in writing. The FAA response was due to other factors
and not with the merits of the proposal itself.
The Age 31 restriction is receiving serious consideration but
the decision to waive has not yet been made.
Considerable discussion centered on the accommodations for
adversely affected employees and the RIF negotiations. No decisions were
reached but many options and alternatives were reviewed extensively. It was
agreed that there would be an emphasis placed on concluding the RIF
negotiations in a fair manner as soon as possible but, in any case, no later
than December 1. The teams will be so advised and resources will be allocated
to meet this timetable. High level reviews will be conducted and mutual
coordination will continue to ensure progress by the teams.
Wally Pike
#137, October 15, 2004
Congress is not inclined to do much with the elections now less than three
weeks away. There are, however, more opportunities to meet with the members
and their staffs to discuss issues. It�s ironic that the best access to our
congressional representatives is when they feel the most threatened. In any
case, we�re maximizing our presence on the Hill and supporting those who
support us. Thanks to those of you who are helping us with our efforts.
We�ve spent a considerable amount of time the past two weeks preparing our
wage/compensation package to present to DOL. This is significant because the
DOL determination will bind all vendors, including the MEO. We�ll keep all
informed of our progress.
The BOD meeting is next week. The last I heard the runoff ballots will be
counted on October 22 and the new officers installed November 1. I�ll have
more to say on several matters after the changeover is accomplished.
Wally Pike
#138, October 22, 2004
The BOD meeting concluded yesterday afternoon. The meeting addressed all the
budgetary concerns for our organization, including our legal and congressional
efforts. I�m happy to say that it was very productive, particularly concerning
the many difficult decisions that had to be made. If you want more details
feel free to contact your Regional Director or me.
One item of particular concern was our PAC fund. Our thanks to those of you
who have already contributed but we have to do more. The next few months will
be critical to our success. As I�ve said before, we may not like the way
business is done in Congress but it essential that we be as effective as
possible in getting our issues addressed. The entire BOD, of which I�m proud
to say I�m still a member, pledged $500 each to the PAC fund. As EA Regional
Director Ron Consalvo put it "we�re in the two minute drill now" and we have
to take advantage of every opportunity. This combined pledge gives us a $5000
start on our homestretch PAC fund drive. Your Regional representatives will be
contacting you on how the membership, as well as non-members, will play a key
part in helping us to position ourselves to be successful.
It has also been a busy week for our attorneys. The wage determination package
goes to DOL today and we hope to have a decision before the first of the year.
In closing, many of you know that Kate Breen�s mother has been very ill. I
regret to say that she passed away early this morning. Kate and her family are
in all our thoughts and prayers during this trying time.
#139, October 28, 2004
It�s been a little slower on Capitol Hill the last two weeks as most of the
aviation staffers have been out of town. Congress is not expected to return
until the week of November 16 and even then it�s uncertain what they will
address.
Bills of particular interest are S2806/HR5025 -- Transportation appropriations
bill. Contained within this bill are requirements that agencies use the old
A76 Circular instead of the changes made in May 2003. Although the FAA states
they do not know the effect of this on our A76 (acquisition) there is no doubt
about congressional intent. At the very least this would delay the study
significantly. The bill also contains the government-wide 3.5% increase. The
House has passed the bill and it awaits Senate approval.
S2400/HR4200 -- Defense Authorization Act. This allows federal employee groups
to appeal competitive sourcing decisions. Although we do not use the GAO
appeal process, this bill is still important as it establishes congressional
intent. This has been passed by congress and awaits the President�s action.
I�ve received some questions regarding HR2115, specifically the retirement
calculation contained in Section 226 that allows 1.7% average pay times the
years of service. Our latest information is that OPM is still refusing to
implement this legislation.
We will keep all advised of any developments on these and other congressional
issues.
This will be my last membership update. As I�ve said many times, it�s been my
privilege and honor to have served you as president for the past six years. No
one could have asked for more support and patience than you�ve shown me and
I�m very appreciative. It has certainly been an eventful time and not always
in a good way.
There were two major disappointments during my term: (1) that we didn�t get
the pay increase for the membership that all of you deserve and (2) that we
didn�t resolve the A76 issue while I was still in office. Both of these
happened on my watch and I accept full responsibility. I�m somewhat reassured
by the fact that I did the best I could given the situation and what I knew at
the time. I offer the following, not as excuses, but as an analysis of why
things happened the way they did.
Regarding the pay negotiations -- I still sometimes hear that we should have
taken the 5.5% increase the FAA offered. In fact, the FAA never offered a true
5.5% increase; it was always contingent on "offsets" that made it a net zero
membership gain. The last offset was our forfeiture of holiday pay which
actually could have resulted in a compensation loss to the members.
We tried to work Congress on this issue, including the use of a very expensive
lobbyist with direct connections to significant congressional leaders. As luck
would have it, this relationship changed one month after we brought her
onboard. Still, I wouldn�t say that this exercise was a total waste since it
taught us how to work Congress ourselves and to deliver our own message on
most issues.
Sometimes we forget that we aren�t alone, that no one else in the FAA saw the
increase that the NATCA controllers received. In today�s environment the NATCA
controllers would not receive the same deal they got in �98 either, that�s why
they wanted the contract extension. No one wants to be at the bargaining table
on wages now.
Nevertheless, a failure is a failure. This despite the fact that the BOD and
membership provided every resource I requested.
And then this A76 Study. Again I think we�ve been very creative in how we�ve
attacked this but, so far, we haven�t stopped it. We have explored every
option, including EEO complaints and lawsuits. I wish it were so simple as
filing one of these but I can�t, in good faith, offer that to you as a
realistic solution. There are no magic bullets or we would have used them long
ago. In my opinion the most likely way we�re going to stop this is on Capitol
Hill.
We have spent a lot of money on legal and congressional fees. We have to do
this on the chance that we might be successful in court where, our attorneys
say, we stand a good chance.
The congressional venue is more optimistic to me but there are no guarantees
here either. We are certainly positioned better on Capitol Hill than we were
six months ago but the big battle will happen when Congress returns.
This A76 fight is far from over and we�re nowhere near beaten. What is certain
is that, if we quit, we will surely lose. I had hoped to have this resolved
before my term expired but that didn�t happen.
You are well-served by your Board of Directors. I know them to be very hard
working, creative and innovative. Kate Breen will be a very effective
president and advocate for our issues.
The BOD and I have agreed that for the next year I will be responsible for
congressional affairs but, regardless of my future capacity, I�ll continue to
do whatever I can to help our members and our option. I�ve offered to
transition with Kate in whatever manner she feels is most effective and
appropriate. Beginning Monday my email address will change to
Over the years I�ve been honored to meet and work with too many of you to
name. I�ll especially miss the people at the national and facility union
meetings. I wish I could have visited more facilities as I always enjoyed that
interaction.
I offer a few tidbits of advice for your consideration.
We have to stay the course in our efforts. There are no simple
answers to complex questions.
The union can replace anyone who leaves. Someone always steps
up and frequently it�s for the better. When we start to feel that we must have
a particular individual, we set ourselves up to make bad decisions.
The Union�s credibility does matter. Once it�s gone you can�t
get it back. People need to know that we stand by what we say. That the other
guy distorts and misrepresents is never an excuse to respond in kind.
Thanks to all of you for your support and efforts over the
years. Any disagreements were never, in my mind, personal and I leave with
positive feelings toward all members.
It�s a small world and perhaps I�ll cross paths with some of
you down the line; if so look me up and I�ll buy you a drink.
Wally Pike
#140, November 05, 2004
Let me start by thanking all of you who voted for me and showed support
through the election process over the past couple of months. It was an honor
to run with Mr. DuPre and I hope to use his expertise in the future.
Jim Washington and I spoke on Wednesday morning by phone, due to both our
schedules we could not meet face to face yet. Here are a couple of things we
discussed:
RIF Negotiations -- I�m going to let Scott Malon update you on what happened
in those meetings for two days, he promised to get something out by the end of
the weekend. The team is also meeting again next week.
Facility Visits -- It seems that the Administrator, Ventris Gibson, and Jim
Washington are all supposed to be out making some facility visits. I�d pass
along the where and when if I had it, you see even as President I�m still the
last to know! If you get the information in the field please pass it along. I
am waiting for there to be some movement on negotiations before I commit to
going on the road with Mr. Washington like Wally has in the past. That�s not
to say that I won�t be out on my own, it�s going to be very important to the
communications effort as things unfold.
Transfer to other AT Facilities -- The agency is supposed to be making that
happen, if you encounter problems please let your Director or myself know.
FSDPS Transition Plan -- This is supposed to be continuing until such time as
M1FC is no longer being used or needed. That transition plan was bargained in
"good faith" and should be adhered too. Contrary to what other people have
said that the FSDPS people are part of this A-76 Process, they are not. They
could be part of the RIF if there are still employees staffing the FSDPS when
the agency turns M1FC off.
There were a few other issues discussed which you will see unfold in the next
week or so.
I�ve received a few emails and faxes from employees who are being "threatened"
about their leave usage and the agency giving that information to the vendor
if a vendor wins. In other words if you aren�t all good little controllers you
won�t get a job. First law stipulates "No agency shall disclose any record
which is contained in a system of records by any means of communication to any
person, or to another agency, except pursuant to a written request by, or with
the prior written consent of, the individual to whom the record pertains,
unless disclosure of the record would be --" Then there is a list which
includes people like law enforcement, Congress, Bureau of Census, and a few
others, it does not include a winning vendor in an A-76/acquisition on it. We
are putting together the list of issues surrounding these
threats/intimidations now and will decide the best way to proceed.
The election may not have turned out the way some of us have wanted this week,
but we certainly are not giving up. What this simply means to me is that we�ll
have to work a little bit harder to protect your rights, I know I�m up to that
challenge.
Wally is continuing his work on the "hill" and looks forward to the members
getting back on November 16th. As information becomes available, I�ll pass it
along.
The MEO team is supposed to be getting together in the next week to work on
the capability assessment. The sad part is our one member, Dave Hoover may not
be allowed to attend and answer questions. This is just one more attempt by
the agency to cut the bargaining unit members out of the process. I hope they
change their minds and see the value in Dave being there.
To my Union Sister and Brothers in Alaska, I know we in the lower 48 have been
very focused on what�s happening down here, you really are not forgotten.
Please know that we are still here to support you nationally if you need it
and you�re in good hands with Phil and Dan representing you.
I�d like to close on a personal note. As most of you know my Mom passed away a
few weeks ago and it�s been tough, we were very close. The flowers, cards,
e-mails, and phone calls I received meant the world to me, Thank You. I�m very
luck to have such an extended family and I am committed to doing everything I
can to ensure you�re protected and treated with the respect you deserve.
Kate Breen
#141, November 15, 2004
The MEO Capability Assessment is this week and Dave Hoover will be attending
as the NAATS Representative on the MEO team. I will also be attending as an
observer. I do have to sign a Non-Disclosure Statement, so I�ll be limited in
what I can tell you.
The appropriations bills are going to be thrown into an Omnibus Bill this week
and at this point it looks like another continuing resolution. It doesn�t
appear that it will be signed this week, but you never know.
The RIF Negotiations Team is back in DC this week and I�m sure Scott will
update you by the end of the week on how this week goes. They are also
scheduled to meet the week of Thanksgiving.
Thanks to Ron Consalvo (EA Regional Director) and Jeff Bittner (MIV FacRep)
for setting up meetings with members at Millville last week. Ventris Gibson
visited Millville to talk with people and answer questions on HR issues. The
time was well spent, I think the members appreciated her taking the time to
sit down and hear their concerns. After Ms. Gibson was through we went off
site and it gave me an opportunity to spend some time with members and answers
questions from this perspective. Her next visit is scheduled for Conroe, TX on
December 10th.
I have a meeting scheduled with the Administrator on December 7th and
hopefully by that time I will have some information on her planned visits. I
have no new information on the facilities or dates she plans to visit at this
time.
From what I hear the contingency plan is nearing completion, we have not been
given any information to date and I am going to request an informational
briefing on it. Sure would be nice if the Agency wanted to work together on
issues like this, it would make life a lot easier!
I�ll get another update out at the end of the week after the meetings this
week.
Kate Breen
#142, November 15, 2004
The latest from the "Hill" if you have not already heard is the Mikulski
amendment HR4818 language surrounding the A-76 circular and appropriated funds
was dropped. I am very disappointed, along with you and all of the other
Federal Labor Union Members that were watching this closely and hoping reason
might prevail. What this means is the agency can and will continue down this
dangerous road of A-76. Wally will be working with our contacts to see what
the next course of action might be, I�ll pass that along next week.
The other piece of legislation that people have had an interest in is
P.L.108-176 which speaks to retirement issues. Evidently OPM is now
implementing it for the other two options, but the agency will not apply it to
our bargaining unit members because it specifically states it applies to those
controllers who separate live traffic. This is something else that Wally is
going to work on and if I get any news on it I�ll pass it along. There maybe
amendments to this Law, but they are not expected to surface until after the
first of the year. As things unfold, I�ll let you know.
I attended the MEO capability assessment this week and unfortunately can�t
reveal what was briefed, but I would like to pass along some information. The
MEO did a great job of putting on a professional demonstration for the
evaluators. I was a little surprised there were over 20 of them, but I�ve
never been through this process before. The MEO team which includes Harris and
the rest of the technology partners have a good handle on what we do and what
we need to do our job. Everything fit together beautifully and even made
sense, my hats off to the team and the folks at Harris for putting together
some terrific equipment. I�ll save my opinion on the rest of the bid for a
later date.
There is still one concern, Ms. Kansier is still stating that if RIF
negotiations are not complete soon it will add a high risk to the MEO bid, not
the rest of the vendors mind you, but the MEO bid. Now she has stated over and
over again that she wants a "level playing field", well assigning risk to the
MEO and not to any of the vendors doesn�t exactly do that. We are negotiating
with the agency, not the MEO. I cannot find the section in the circular or AMS
that states the MEO will be at high risk if the agency has not finished
negotiations, maybe it�s just me. Or is it like Kurt Comisky would say an
arbitrary and capricious decision by Ms. Kansier to simply help the agency
make a contractor selection while pointing a finger at the Union? I�ll be
addressing this issue on Monday.
The RIF team has been working hard to come to agreement and is making some
progress. Scott will update you soon on where things stand. This organization
is doing everything it can to come to the table and get things done to protect
your rights and entitlements.
My apologies for not having better news for all of you, we will continue to do
everything we can to get through this and help people land on their feet.
Kate Breen
#143, 24 November 2004
I have sent two letters to the Source Selection Authority asking who the
people on the Source Selection Evaluation Board are and what their credentials
are. I�ve also sent one to him on the MEO bid being considered high risk
because this round of RIF negotiations are not yet complete.
The RIF team will meet again next week in Washington and I know Scott will
keep you updated on how things progress.
No news on the contingency plans being set up, it seems the agency still wants
to keep us in the dark until the last minute. Article 7, Section 1 "...The
employer does not desire to eliminate meaningful and appropriate mid-term
bargaining between the parties." We�ll see how this turns out.
I had the pleasure of speaking with PASS President Tom Brantley today and am
going to have lunch with him sometime next week. I will be reaching out to all
the Union Presidents not just within FAA, but within the Federal Employee
ranks. It is going to be very important these next few years for us all to
work together to protect our members.
My schedule for next week includes a meeting at the Department of Labor to
discuss the wage determination issue. The following week is the meeting with
the Administrator on December 7th.
May you all put this madness behind you for a few days and enjoy the time
spent with family and friends. The really important things in life are
sometimes over looked, please take the time this holiday to let those people
close to you know how important they are in your life and thank them for being
there. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families.
Kate Breen
#144, December 03, 2004
It looks like the contract award will not happen until the week of January
24th, not sure why at this point but if I hear anything I�ll pass it along.
I know you all are waiting for an update on the RIF negotiations and I will
leave that up to Scott Malon. What I will tell you is our team did an
outstanding job putting together their proposal. They spent a lot of time
going through policies, orders, and regulations working most nights until
10:00 pm.
With the change in leadership at NAATS, and the contract award decision due
shortly, we have sent out packages to the FacReps at the AFSS facilities in
the lower 48, SJU, and HNL. This is to designate me as the new President to
represent the directly affected employees of this A-76/acquisition in case of
a contest after the decision is made.
The meeting this week at the Department of Labor (DOL) went very well and I�m
glad we made the effort to go. It seems that the agency gave DOL a letter that
was confusing and DOL wasn�t even sure they were supposed to be doing a new
wage determination. We explained who we where, what we do, and to the best of
our ability explained the core compensation system. It seems that DOL was not
very familiar with core compensation, the FAA did not do a very good job
explaining their distinct pay system. We are working with our attorneys to get
DOL some more information and help anyway we can to help them to understand.
The wage determination the agency was using for this competition was over 20
years old and had us listed at the GS-9 level. This is one more area where
there was no pre-planning done by the agency. This wage determination should
have been requested when this whole mess started. I�ll advise of any updates.
It seems the agency once again does not feel the need to work with the union
on an issue. There is a detail for 3 individuals to go to Pago Pago in
American Samoa and do airport advisories for 120 days beginning January 2005.
They did not notify the Union at the national level for negotiations, they did
not open it up to any one who does airport advisories, and the most important
thing is the people selected to go I�m sure are not aware of the possible
consequences of going. What happens to the individuals who will be away from
their facilities and not current in the middle of a contract award and
possible RIF? What happens to their Right of First Refusal (ROFR) if they are
not "well qualified"? The answer "don�t worry we�ll cover them". Now I don�t
know about the rest of you but that makes me just a little nervous seeing how
straight forward management has been so far. Mike Puffer and Scott Malon will
be handling the paperwork.
I did have one good thing happen this week, I had the pleasure of meeting the
PASS President Tom Brantley for lunch. It was time well spent and I hope to
work with Tom and the other Union Presidents through the next three years. I
believe it�s very important for all union brothers and sisters to do what they
can for each other in this current climate.
Kate Breen
#145, December 10, 2004
The RIF team was in town again this week and Scott has promised to get an
update out by tomorrow.
NAATS filed a ULP this week and if you�d like a copy of it, please check with
your facrep or Director. We are not putting in on the web site, because I feel
no need to brief management or to give the vendors a heads up on everything we
do. Even information that is on a members only web site is finding its way
into managements hands prior to our own members getting it. I apologize for it
being tougher for you to get information right now, hopefully that will all be
rectified soon.
The meeting with the Administrator, Deputy Administrator, and her chief of
staff was more of a meet and greet type of meeting with some discussion on
what we expected of each other. She was impressed at the facility visits on
how professional everyone was. With all the uncertainty that is going on, you
treated her with respect, that�s more than most people would have done. The
announcement date looks like sometime at the end of January as I briefed the
last time, there are supposed to be some announcements before the holidays
with specifics. The Administrator reiterated how financially strapped the
agency is right now but she wants to make sure people are treated equally. I
reminded her that the agency just offered buy outs to HR personnel and the
accounting office got full PCS moves to consolidate to OKC. So once again, I�m
sorry that the agency is in this position, but the mismanagement over the
years that put them here should not be taken care of on the backs or
pocketbooks of our members. She asked that there be no personal attacks and
that I be honest with her. I don�t attack personally, and I�ll be as honest
with her as she is with me. We both have our missions and mine is to protect
your rights and entitlements. I thank them all for their time and look forward
to working together to get through this. If we don�t work together, it�s going
to be a long costly road.
There was an issue that was brought up regarding if an individual had to be
operationally current (qualified) by the contract award to be considered for
Right of First Refusal (ROFR) if a vendor wins. In the SIR section I.4 AMS
3.2.1.3-2, talks to the issue, basically if you are not operationally current
by the award you may not be included on that list. I�m waiting for a
clarification from the HR Action Team, but it maybe a few weeks before I get
that so you may want to cover your bases and get operationally current just in
case.
We are working on a few other issues that I can�t put out publicly, just know
we will do everything we can to protect you. It�s just a shame we sometimes
have to do the things we do when we�ve offered to work with the agency and
keep getting shut out.
Kate Breen
#146, Dec 23, 2004
The RIF negotiations were delayed until the first week of January, the agency
is going over some of the language.
The announcement of contract award has been delayed until after the first of
the year, it still looks like contract award will happen the last week in
January or the first week in February. I�ve asked Mr. Washington to include
the FacReps with any manager meeting after the announcement, no commitments
yet.
The December edition of the briefer is out there and it has a clarification on
the issue of when you need to be operationally current for the Right of First
Refusal (ROFR).
I have sent a letter to the Administrator and issued a press release regarding
the FAA�s new staffing plan for towers and centers, they will hopefully be
posted on the web site soon. We will also be adding a new list of talking
points for your use with elected officials and local press.
I expect to be very busy after January first, there are meetings already set
up with a new law firm in Washington, other federal union counterparts, and
briefings from the agency on the contingency plan. It seems there has been a
problem with the agency keeping us in the loop concerning changes to policy
and procedures. If this continues, it will only mean more paperwork and I�m
very prepared to do whatever filling of paperwork necessary to rectify this
situation.
This has been a very tough year for you all and I hope that you can take the
time to put all of the anxiety and uncertainties aside for a few days and
enjoy time with your families. You have my commitment to do everything I can
in 2005 to help get us through this uncertain time. In the meantime, enjoy the
Holiday with your families and friends.
Kate Breen |