April 10 Call with the FAA

PASS Brothers and Sisters:

It has been another tumultuous week in the country during this national emergency, but our regular calls with the FAA continue so that we can respond to your concerns in a timely manner.

AVS Facility Cleaning: While most of the AVS employees we represent are on telework, there have been sporadic reports of insufficient cleaning when worksites need to be accessed. As with ATO, availability of supplies is limited but AVS is working to get those offices adequately cleaned for employees to safely report. We have had reports from two Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO) that local managers are not following the agency’s COVID-19 protocols and that will be addressed as soon as possible. On the bright side, our PASS rep at another FSDO commended local managers for their handling of the pandemic protocols. Please continue to report anything you see that doesn’t conform to agency issued guidance.

High-Risk Employees: We continue to have discussions about to best protect those employees who are considered to be in high risk categories particularly when these employees are required to report to work. This includes the use of excused absence. On occasion, this taking too long to resolve resulting in employees having to go to work. To show that you are in a high risk group, medical documentation will need to be presented.

Use of Masks: Flight Standards has provided this guidance to its employees on the use of masks on the job. As this message was being prepared this evening, I received this guidance for Tech Ops employees. As stated in Wednesday’s message, if employees want to wear a mask at work for their own protection, they are not to be prevented by managers from doing so. But we as clarified in yesterday’s PASS News Now, masks are not PPEs or required unless specifically prescribed and directed by the FAA for that purpose. They are devices meant to help protect the work environment and aid in slowing the spread of the virus.

Employee Notification of Positive Test: We have asked that Air Traffic and Tech Ops make joint notification at sites and have asked for specifics as to how this is being done so that all employees at risk of exposure are being notified at the same time. The agency is looking at how to deal with notification at smaller facilities.

Facility Cleaning: We asked today if building air filters are being changed regularly. This is not a part of the Level 3 cleaning. PASS national safety representative, Bob Seagrave, will be engaged in further discussions regarding this matter.

Periodic Maintenance (PM): A new maintenance alert was issued today to cover additional PMs, although the agency is still trying to limit time you will need to spend on site to limit the interaction with other employees. If your manager is still checking the maintenance dashboard and not following the most recent alerts, please let PASS know.

Thank you for all that you continue to do on behalf of the nation during this difficult time. I know some of you are observing Passover and Easter, now and in the coming days, in ways that you hadn’t planned. Remember to put your health and that of your family first. Your union is here for you.

In Solidarity,

Mike Perrone

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