PASS Sisters and Brothers
We continue to have regular, daily contact with the FAA.
PASS Brothers and Sisters:
We had another productive call with the FAA today, continuing the open and transparent dialogue in order to protect you and your families, while allowing the NAS to continue operating safely. Below are the highlights:
As all are aware, the current COVID-19 crisis has caused disruption in the lives of the employees PASS represents. Many bargaining unit employees are required to report to work in person in order to satisfy their essential responsibilities. This is particularly true for those in the PASS-represented technician workforce who continue to maintain and support the NAS. Balancing these needs with the necessity to protect the health and safety of employees, we have worked with the FAA to maximize telework and to explore other workplace flexibilities that focus on social distancing and minimize unnecessary interactions. The shared goal is to protect employees and their families.
The workplace circumstances of different employees will dictate what mitigation is available. As an example, PASS understands that Air Traffic has been negotiating changes to the work schedules of air traffic controllers. This is being done in response to the workplace challenges caused by COVID-19 and is being referred to as a “pod system.” This encourages controllers to maintain the same shifts with the same controllers. The idea would be to contain any outbreaks of COVID-19 at the facility.
PASS Sisters and Brothers:
I’m pleased to hear from many of you that more issues during the coronavirus crisis seem to be getting resolved locally and that the directives sent by the upper levels of management at the FAA are reaching frontline managers. While communications with the agency have improved, we are continuing to press the FAA to be more transparent about its actions and to treat all employees as equally important to the mission. Air travel may be down, but you still have an important role to play in getting personnel and supplies to their destinations. Please continue to submit any concerns you may have to PASS.
PASS Brothers and Sisters:
To say it has been a busy week for all of us would be an understatement. We’ve had numerous conference calls with the FAA, including several today. While we are still hearing sporadic reports of issues in the workplace and lack of timely communication with PASS, we have seen the agency come a long way in responding to this national emergency and to your concerns.
PASS Sisters and Brothers:
I wanted to report to you the substance of the calls PASS participated on with the FAA today. These calls are becoming invaluable for the union so that we can share with you the most up-to-date information. In addition to the Executive Board, our National ATO Safety Representative Bob Seagrave has also been participating.
