To the Members of NAATS, 

My thanks all the members for their extraordinary efforts to serve the flying public in the wake of Sept. 11th and for their continuing support as we strive for a fair contract that recognizes the value of Flight Service. 

On behalf of everyone at NAATS Headquarters, the Directors, the Coordinators, our liaisons and our representatives, I want to wish everyone a happy Holiday Season and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

�    Wally Pike 

The President�s Message

S. 1447 became Public Law 107-71, including the above, when President Bush signed it on November 19.  

The Chairman Will be Watching

I saw Chairman Young and two of his special assistants this afternoon and expressed our gratitude for the above language. I also indicated our concern that, given their track record, the FAA would not negotiate in good faith. Their response was that Chairman Young was personally interested in this matter and that he will be highly irritated if this language doesn�t change the FAA�s posture. I told them of my scheduled meeting with Administrator Garvey and they asked that I keep them informed of our progress or lack thereof. The Chairman had to leave for a vote but I stayed and talked with his assistants about possible future scenarios. They indicated that we could count on them for support.

The Administrator Reschedules

Administrator Garvey had to reschedule our meeting for tomorrow with a new date of December 17. When I meet with her I will ask her how she proposes to proceed with the pay impasse and how she intends to comply with the language in P.L. 107-71.

AT-2 Agrees to Support FSOSC

NAATS Chief Negotiator Bill Dolan is working out the specifics of the FSOSC. Latest indications are that it will probably start around the middle of January. If FAA management determines they must start prior to that time we�ll provide what operational support we can from here until we can finish coordination. It looks like the details will be 60 days in length. Please advise us if you want to withdraw your name because of the change. I talked with AT-2 Jeff Griffith and he agreed to support us, with overtime if necessary, to get the people we really want on these details.

Buyout Rumors Continue

We continue to hear buyout rumors from the field. No current buyout legislation includes DOT and the FAA has proposed nothing.

Headquarters E-mail Changed

Stephen Glowacki, AFSSVS Tech Rep

Scott Malon, ATP Liaison

Part I:

For those of us with any operational experience, the need to technologically upgrade our AFSS/FSSs is nothing new. However, since September 11th, it has become painfully clear to all involved that the current method and manner in which we, as AFSS Controllers, disseminate NOTAM information to the pilot is not only outdated, but a clear and critical safety issue. The collective effort of our workforce to mitigate this serious impact to our customer through �workarounds� and the like has not gone unnoticed, in that due attention is finally being paid towards an acceptable solution. 

On Friday, November 2nd, ATP-1 Mike Cirillo called a meeting with ARU (Systems Development)/ ARQ (Research and Requirements)/ NAATS/ etc to express the fact that the AFSS Controller�s ability to perform his/her duties has been compromised by technology, creating a significant safety issue, and that it was the position of ATP that something needed to be done to FIX THE PROBLEM. Commitment was given by all to meet and develop a plan. On Monday, November 5th, the involved parties re-convened to �brainstorm� solutions. The �exit plan� produced the following items for consideration: 

1.      M1FC 55-page display limitations  An informational display system at each operational position to display all site and route-specific NOTAM data during a briefing.

2.      AWP 409-state limit issue  A direct feed to/from CNS (Central NOTAM System), eliminating the need for AWP with regard to NOTAM processing.

3.      WMSCR delay issue (system updates at h+00, H+20, h+40)  The direct feed to/from CNS would enable us to obtain up-to-date NOTAM information with virtually no delay.  

To date, NAATS has expressed two (2) initial items required to facilitate this plan: 

1.      A method requiring only one input of flight plan information (i.e. M1FC FP mask, VM <locid> NO) to receive applicable site or route-specific NOTAMs on the additional display. An additional input device (i.e. keyboard, mouse, touch-screen) would operate the additional functions of the informational display system.

2.      Only one (1) additional piece of �glass� shall be incorporated into the workstation. In addition to the informational display system, the SUAISE system would also be housed within the single display. The type of display (i.e. Windows-type/single display, Wide-screen/dual display) is extremely important, since this platform will likely house other future add-ons that the AFSS World deems needed.  

While the idea of an informational display system is nothing new, the level of importance given to the concept has certainly been elevated, thus allowing traditional channels to be bypassed, in effect �fast-tracking� this project for the AFSS work environment. Your Board of Directors will be looking for your input and support to determine what is necessary to facilitate a plan of improvement for our Flight Service Stations. 

Part II:

While technological limitations are certainly an issue, the basic textual structure and accountability of a NOTAM also weighs in heavily when measuring the impact to both internal and external users.  

First, let me share with you what I�ve learned from conversation shared with the USNOF personnel. It appears that, through no fault of their own, the benefit of knowledge and experience formally used by these employees when formatting NOTAMs has been cast aside by their superiors, favoring haste in the issuance over accuracy. Oftentimes, the text of a given NOTAM has been developed outside of the USNOF, and the direction given is to issue it verbatim. I know each of you has dealt on some level with the effects of this method during the course of a briefing workday.  

To address some of the problems with this, ATA-1 Sabra Kaulia has brought in some �field expertise� to help her office out with the initial �wording� of new FDC-scope TFR NOTAMs. Additionally, she expressed the desire to have NAATS included in this initial NOTAM development, so that some of the clarification issues might be addressed prior to �hitting the street.� It is my hope that the USNOF will once again be allowed to assist in their role to properly format the information given. These efforts combined should assist in alleviating some of the impact issues that have surfaced around this matter. 

Additionally, the FSOSC is still being fine-tuned (see Headquarters Update 7 & 7A). With this in place, �real-time� questions should be able to be addressed, further assisting the field with timely attention. 

While these steps may not eliminate global hunger, they do indicate a positive trend by the Agency in focusing attention on the Flight Service Option.

Next week the FAA will get its first look at the Phase 1 ISD (In Service Decision) Software that will go into AND AFSS. Several of us will be at Harris Corporation to take a quick (two days) look at the software to see if we can find any problems that can be resolved before the software is sent to the Tech Center for primary testing. This software will be very thoroughly tested before going operational. Besides the initial assessment next week, the Human Factors Team will test the software, a NOTE (NAS Operational Test and Evaluation) test will take place at the Tech Center (The NOTE Team is made up of controllers and supervisors from the original NOTE Test Team that tested the original SEA software and supervisors and controllers from AND AFSS), and a NOTE test will take place at AND AFSS where we will simulate operational use as much as possible. After all that is done, as long as it is satisfactory AND will go operational, at which time an IOT&E evaluation will take place on the operational system. 

In a couple weeks an assessment of OASIS will be done by information gathered from this assessment will be given to the Human Factors Team for use in making OASIS more suitable for Alaskan operations. The Human Factors Team will be on hand at SEA at the assessment out-brief to get first hand feedback from the Alaskan team. This will kick off our next meeting at SEA AFSS that week. 

After that meeting our activities will slow for the Holidays, getting back up to speed after the first week of January.

April 17 & 18, 2002

at the

Monte Carlo

Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas

Events Include:

FacRep Training   Banquet & Reception

Tuesday, April 16th Wednesday, April 17th

Room Rate: $85.00/night

FOR RESERVATIONS CALL:

(800) 311-8999 or (702) 730-7000

Claims for Mold-Related Illnesses on the Rise

Many schools across the country have closed, at least temporarily, due to Sick Building Syndrome caused by mold infestation. While schools have been receiving media attention, the mold problem is not just found in the school systems. The number of mold claims submitted to insurers, including office buildings and homes, has increased substantially in the last year. The common health concerns associated with exposure to high concentrations of certain molds include hay fever-like allergic symptoms, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. For many homeowners, and even building owners, whether mold is covered by an insurance policy depends on how the mold started.  The Institute said mold that is a direct result of a covered peril such as a pipe bursting would be covered. However, mold caused by humidity, water condensation, leaks, or flooding may not be covered � may be a maintenance issue in these instances. 

Union Plans Legislative Push to Revive Ergonomics Rules

AFL-CIO officials are planning a lobbying effort to get Congress to reverse its vote that prevented OSHA�s new ergonomics standard last March. What the union plans on accomplishing is to first go after the now Democratically controlled Senate. Then they hope to build public support for a favorable vote in the Republican-run House and for President Bush to sign the ergo-reviving measure.  The unions will work with supporters of a bill introduced soon after the March standard-killing vote by Senator John Breaux (LA-D). The bill would direct OSHA to issue a new standard within two years � one that clearly states when an employer is required to fashion an ergonomics program for its workers, among other requirements. 

Tire Pressure Monitoring

The DOT�s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently proposed a new federal motor vehicle safety standard.  It would require the installation of tire pressure monitoring systems in new passenger cars, SUVs, buses, and multipurpose passenger vehicles with gross vehicle weight ratings of 10,000 lbs. or less.  The tire pressure monitoring systems would warn the driver when the vehicle has an under-inflated tire. Two possible versions of this regulations exists.  Only one version will become in final rule.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 49 to 79 deaths and 6,585 to 10,635 injuries annually could be prevented if all vehicles were equipped with tire measure monitoring systems. 

Identifying Violence On-the-Job

It�s easy to think about safety when you are working around dangerous machinery. But does safety come to mind when you think of your coworkers, or customers? As many as 1.5 million workers are assaulted while at work each year in the United States. What is workplace violence? Workplace violence has a broad definition that includes aggressive acts like intimidation, harassment, verbal and or physical assault, and even murder. Here are a few terms defined: 

Intimidation � Intimidation ranges from threatening body language to threatening letters.  Someone blocking your path can also be intimidation.              

Harassment � Most people tell jokes about their friends and give them unflattering nicknames, but this is not considered harassment until that person says �"no� and it continues anyways.  Unwanted calls from a co-worker that do not stop or being continually called into the office for no acceptable reason; both are patterns that fall under harassment. 

Verbal Assault � Yelling, screaming, and name calling are just three examples of verbal assault. It also includes threats to you or your property. 

Physical Assault � We all know what physical assault is. Or do we? As well as direct physical harm done to you, it can also include someone tossing you materials that are too heavy to catch. 

Workplace violence is not always between co-workers, nor does someone a worker know always commit it.  A former employee and the spouse of an employee, or a stranger can also commit it.  How do you identify and prevent a potential situation?  There are some key facts you ought to know. 

• Most violent incidents take place at night or in the early morning hours. Many victims are working alone or in small groups. If you are guarding property or working in high-crime areas you are at risk. 

• Say �NO.� Make it clear to the aggressor that you are not interested in this situation. Remain calm if this is possible, but communicate �no� clearly. 

• Remove yourself. Removing yourself from an uncomfortable situation is one of the best ways to avoid a potentially violent incident. The potential for a violent act can often be removed when aggressors have time to cool down. 

• Report the incident to management.  Know what workplace violence is and what you can do about it goes a long way to ensuring your safety.  Becoming familiar with the FAA�s policy on workplace violence will be an even bigger step to curbing violence in your place of work. 

Itchy Eyes

Suffering from dry and itchy eyes?  Studies in Sweden have shown that vapors from VOC�s (volatile organic compounds) break down the lubricating film on the eyes. Building materials, floor coverings, and furniture add VOC�s to the indoor air mixture.  Dehydrated eyes are easily irritated by the added particles in the air.  The research recommends blinking more to keep the eyes moist. 

New Recording Standard

OSHA�s new and improved recording keeping standard for workplace injuries largely goes into effect on January 1, 2002.  The new rule features simple forms and gives employers more flexibility to use computers to meet OSHA�s regulatory requirements.  Two key parts to the rule will not be implemented January 1; one part that will be delayed is the criteria for recording work-related hearing loss for one year, pending investigation into the level of hearing loss that should be recorded as �significant� health condition.  Furthermore, the department will delay for one year, the rule's definition of musculoskeletal disorders and the requirement that employers check the musculoskeletal disorder column on the OSHA log.  The Occupational and Safety Health Director of the AFL-CIO in Washington says not including those aspects now �is a move in the wrong direction.� Several positives to the new standard include: 

• Clarified definitions 

• Clarifies the role of company executives in the workplace reference injury and illness reporting 

• Requires executives to certify the 300 log  

• Enhances employee privacy coverage  

• Covers incidents regarding needle sticks and other sharp objects. 

       If anyone needs more clarification to the new rule, information can be found on OSHA�s website.

(Note: Employers involved in the tragedies of September 11 have been waived from recording the loss of employees killed or injured in the attacks.) 

OSHA�s Participation

Brought to you by FedWeek.com

Decision Due on Potential Christmas Eve Holiday

Bush administration officials are considering whether to grant federal employees a partial or full holiday on Monday, December 24. Prior presidents sometimes have granted either the entire day, the afternoon or several hours off on Christmas Eve when Christmas Day falls on a Tuesday, as it does this year. No deadline has been set for a decision, but an announcement might have to be made soon for practical reasons. Employees soon will have to schedule leave if they want to be off that day, and the Office of Personnel Management would have to issue guidance if some type of extra time off is to be granted. 

Several Considerations at Work

Many employees are hoping the White House will grant workers time off as a gesture of reward for a work force that has been under a great deal of stress since the September 11 terrorist attacks. On the other side of the coin, though, is the cost in lost productivity for those who are dismissed from work and in premium pay for people who would have to keep working on December 24 even if all or part of that day were declared a holiday. Another factor is the symbolism of having the civilian side of the government shut down while the military side is engaged in combat abroad.  

2002 Pay Rates Still Not Determined

The Bush administration has not yet released the 2002 general schedule pay tables, even though a measure authorizing an average 4.6 percent GS raise in January has been signed into law. The release is awaiting a White House decision on how much of the raise will be paid across-the-board and how much will be divided up as locality pay. Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-MD, a leader on pay matters, recently urged the administration to designate 1 percentage point as locality pay; earlier a special advisory panel made the same recommendation. The decision could come at any time.  

Split Important for Several Reasons

While the locality pay program has not closed the pay gap with private industry as it was intended to do when designed in 1990, civil service leaders would like to see at least some of the raise designated as locality pay, if only to keep the program alive. The program has made at least some difference in the government�s ability to recruit and keep employees in competitive labor markets, officials say. For example, employees in the highest-paid locality, San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, now make about 9 percent more than employees in the lowest-paid, the catchall �rest of the U.S.� locality for areas not within one of the 31 metropolitan zones getting targeted raises. Meanwhile, the size of the across-the-board component is important to general schedule employees working outside the contiguous 48 states, who are not eligible for locality pay (although they may be eligible for other special types of pay). 

Paid Parental Leave Idea Suffers Setback

The Office of Personnel Management has concluded that making some of the parental leave time available to federal employees paid time off, rather than unpaid time as it is today, would not be a major factor in improving agency recruiting and retention efforts. OPM surveyed agencies on their views on paid parental leave under orders of Congress. A measure to provide six weeks of paid parental leave time was introduced in the last Congress but hasn�t been reintroduced, pending the results of the OPM survey. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., who offered the original plan, likely will reintroduce it despite OPM�s conclusion.  

Social Security Wage Base Increasing

Effective in January, the �wage base� applying to the 6.2 percent Social Security payroll deduction paid by workers under that system (including federal employees under the FERS system) will increase to $84,900 from this year�s $80,400. The deduction is not taken from salary above that level (on the other hand, earnings above that amount do not add to a Social Security benefit). Special rules apply to employees under CSRS-Offset, who are eligible for Social Security as well; above the wage base amount they continue paying the deduction but the money goes into the civil service retirement trust fund instead of into the Social Security fund. The 1.45 percent Medicare deduction, which in some settings is presented as part of the Social Security deduction, applies to both CSRS and FERS employees. There is no wage base limit on the Medicare deduction.  

Crediting Amount Increases, Too

Also effective in January, the amount of earnings required to earn a quarter of coverage under Social Security will increase to $870, up from $830 this year. That figure is of interest mainly to CSRS employees who are working part time on the side in order to gain enough credits to qualify for a Social Security benefit. Many CSRS retirees also take at least part time work after retiring in order to be eligible for a benefit under Social Security, which normally requires that workers have 40 quarters to their credit. 

FEHB Open Season Reminder

The current open season for joining the Federal Employees Health Benefits program or changing plans or levels of coverage within a plan ends December 10. While the large majority of enrollees stay put each year, this year enrollees should at the least make sure that the coverage they have had is continuing. More than two dozen health maintenance organizations are dropping out for the calendar year 2002 plan year, and some others, including several of the largest, are changing their coverage areas. In addition, the largest plan, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, is ending its high-option coverage�switching enrollees to its standard plan automatically unless they decide otherwise�and is adding a new basic option. Plan choices and new premium rates take effect in January. 

Dave Hoover, Director and Tom Forte, Coordinator

We would like to congratulate each of our FacReps in the Southern Region on their election to Facility Representative. Many have been re-elected which is a great tribute to your dedication, knowledge and the confidence the members have in your leadership. We welcome our freshmen FacReps, who have accepted the responsibility of representing their facilities for the next three years. You�ll find that the Southern Region FacReps are a tight-knit team who rely on each other for support and creativity as well as their local membership. 

We are looking forward to working in support of your efforts during the next three years. We believe there is much to be done to strengthen our Union endeavors. These challenges include an increase in membership involvement, communication and better use of our resources. We will operate in a professional manner addressing the issues, resolving conflicts and solving problems. There is a tremendous amount of work to be done and we know that our team is ready to step up to the plate. 

Our first Board of Directors meeting set the standard for future meetings and the way we will operate as a Union now and in the future. There shall be no �secrets� and there is nothing to hide, nor should we ever attempt to keep information from our members again. The membership will receive the minutes from the Board of Directors meetings within two weeks of the meeting.  

Our first NAATS/FAA Quarterly held in Atlanta was a huge success. Meetings were held with AT-1 Bill Peacock, ASO-1 Carolyn Blum, the new ASO-500, Richard Day, and the new ASO-540, Mike Jenkins. We presented ourselves in a professional manner, addressed the issues, while refraining from attacking the personalities. You can be assured that FAA management noticed this and realized that we as a Union are moving in a new direction. 

It�s all about professionalism, integrity, communication, and teamwork. Let�s move forward together! 

Dave & Tom

The Twelve Days of Flight Service Christmas

A Holiday Parody by the HHR AFSS �Dinner Show�

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me

A model one �fool� capacity.

 On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Two early shoves and a model one �fool� capacity.

 On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Three letter ID�s, two early shoves and a model one �fool� capacity.

 On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Four sleepy mids, three letter ID�s, two early shoves and a model one �fool� capacity.

 On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

FIVE OVERDUES, four sleepy mids, three letter ID�s, two early shoves and a model one �fool� capacity.

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Six briefers briefing, FIVE OVERUDES, four sleepy mids, three letter ID�s, two early shoves and a model one �fool� capacity.

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Seven flags aflashing, six briefers briefing, FIVE OVERDUES, four sleepy mids, three letter ID�s, two early shoves and a model one �fool� capacity.

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Eight tapes recording, seven flags aflashing, six briefers briefing, FIVE OVERDUES, four sleepy mids, three letter ID�s, two early shoves and a model one �fool� capacity.

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Nine student pilots, eight tapes recording, seven flags aflashing, six briefers briefing, FIVE OVERDUES, four sleepy mids, three letter ID�s, two early shoves and a model one �fool� capacity.

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Ten TFR�s, nine student pilots, eight tapes recording, seven flags aflashing, six briefers briefing, FIVE OVERDUES, four sleepy mids, three letter ID�s, two early shoves and a model one �fool� capacity.

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Eleven NOTAMs posting, ten TFR�s, nine student pilots, eight tapes recording, seven flags aflashing, six briefers briefing, FIVE OVERDUES, four sleepy mids, three letter ID�s, two early shoves and a model one �fool� capacity.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Twelve calls awaiting, eleven NOTAMs posting, ten TFR�s, nine student pilots, eight tapes recording, seven flags aflashing, six briefers briefing, FIVE OVERDUES, four sleepy mids, three letter ID�s, two early shoves and a model one �fool� capacity.

Happy Holidays to All!