As many of you are aware, Technical Operations announced that on December 5, the FAA will officially return to regular maintenance requirements. This will result in the performance of most, if not all, maintenance that was conducted prior to the pandemic. These work responsibilities are important and many would agree need to be conducted. The work of technicians we represent is pertinent to the functioning of the air traffic control system and, although technicians have been able to meet the critical and immediate needs during the pandemic, the stress of not conducting periodic maintenance could soon impact operations. This will have no impact on the normal holiday maintenance moratorium and bargaining unit employees will not be held responsible for maintenance requirements that are not within their control as it recognized that all periodic maintenance is overdue at this point. I have those assurances from the highest levels of the agency.

While this does not impact our members in Regions IV or V, I want all of you to know what PASS has been working on to protect the health and safety of the employees we represent.

The letter I received from the FAA today states the following regarding the technicians who are impacted:

Bargaining unit employees who have a direct operational impact must be recalled to their facility. This group includes Series 802 employees; Series 2101 Airway Transportation System Specialists assigned to System Support Centers and Technical Operations Control Centers; Wage Grade employees; I-Band System Specialists; and applicable new hires. At that time, the operational employees will be removed from “emergency telework” status but will remain eligible for telework opportunities in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement and applicable telework policy. If employees wish to telework, they must contact their direct supervisor to establish a new telework agreement.

While maintenance requirements and schedules may be returning to normal, the conditions under which it is performed remain abnormal. COVID remains a concern and the focus of PASS is steadfastly on your safety. To fulfill bargaining obligations of this change with regards to maintenance that will significantly increase the number of employees in the workplace, PASS proposed for the agency to conduct workplace assessments that will require thorough examination of safety measures in all facilities where employees will be working. The goal is to protect you from COVID and introduce mitigation measures when the danger of exposure cannot be entirely eliminated. I have asked them to fast track that process. We also proposed that the agency continue to allow teleworking in circumstances when employees can perform their work and to ensure protections for high-risk employees. I am encouraging them to be proactive about situational telework.

While performing your work responsibilities is important, so is your health and safety.

The return to pre-pandemic maintenance requirements should not be confused with the phased return-to-work that brings employees to workplaces beginning in January and continuing through February as outlined by the FAA last week. It is important to note that the technicians have been operationally necessary employees throughout the pandemic. The difference at this point is that maintenance requirements are significantly increasing, especially as air traffic is approaching pre-pandemic levels.

I assure you, PASS is doing everything in its power to ensure that return to the workplace—whatever that process finally looks like—is done in a safe and orderly way and that your health is protected. And I remind you that the collective bargaining agreements with the FAA are in full force and effect. If provisions related to workplace safety, discipline or any other matter are not being followed, please reach out to your local PASS representative or regional vice president. In addition, I am in frequent communication with Tech Ops senior management on the maintenance matter and our goals are closely aligned. If you are hearing something different from your local or district manager, please contact your local or district rep or regional vice president. The Tech Ops directors are being told to quickly resolve any issues that arise.

From the national officers and staff, I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for your work this busy holiday weekend.

In solidarity,

Dave Spero
National President