A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Issue link: http://natca.uberflip.com/i/905671
NATCA NATIONAL OFFICE DEPARTMENTAL UPDATE November 4 - 17 , 2017 LABOR RELATIONS DEPARTMENT DOT/FAA WILL EXPAND DRUG TESTING PANEL FOR DOT - REGULATED INDUSTRIES On Nov . 13, 2017, the Department of Transportation (DOT) published a final rule that expands i ts current drug testing panel for DOT - regulated industries to include four synthetic opioids: hydrocodone, oxycodone, h ydromorphone, and oxymorphone. DOT - regulated employers in the transportation industry are required to test for these opioids starting on Jan . 1, 2018. However, the DOT/FAA has notified NATCA that it will not begin testing for the expanded drug panel prior to 2018, and that the exact effective d ate is not known at this time. NATCA will continue to provide updates as we receive additional inf ormation from the Agency. POCs: Director of Labor Relations Ryan Smith and Labor Relations Representative Melinda Kim . AGENCY BRIEFING ON AAQ CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY On Oct . 31, 2017, the Agency briefed NATCA regarding its intention to expand the use of a customer satisfaction survey to all contracting divisions in 2018. The purpose of the survey is to receive feedback from FAA personnel who receive acquisition services from Acquisition and Contracting (AAQ) to measure how they are meeting needs and e xpectations. The data will be collected and analyzed to identify areas for organizational focus such as training, policy, communicatio n, or direction for customers. Any area that receives a rating lower than a 2 will be looked into, with the employee be ing asked for addition al details about the incident. While the information in the survey will not be used for performance evaluations, or for awards, it may be used as an opportunity for a manager to engage with the employee and possibly a dd training. Gwen dolyn Kimbrough noted that no BUEs who are currently subject to this survey have had an issue with unreasonable use of the feedback thus far. NATCA recommends participation in this survey. POCs: Gwendolyn Kimbrough and NATCA Labor Relations Attorney Suzan ne DeFelice . AGENCY BRIEFING ON FAA ORDER 6200.4H NATIONAL TEST EQUIPMENT PROGRAM On Nov . 1, 2017, the FAA briefed NATCA regarding revisions being made to FAA Order 6200.4H, National Test Equipment Program Management, which is an order establishing FAA's formal structure to manage the Agency's inventory of test equipment assets. In August 2015, the National Test Equipment Program Management responsibility was transferred to the Operational Automation Team, AJW - 141, to align resources within the National A irway Sys tems Engineering (NASE) Group. The Order includes some formatting and appendix changes, as well as changes to the office of primary responsibility from AJW - 13 to AJW - 14. The order clarifies processes that will be used by AJW - 14 in the managemen t of the test equipment program. No changes have been made to the list of test eq uipment requiring calibration. NATCA is concerned that funding, not safety, is driving the FAA's decision to pass off the cost of mandatory calibrations. Several items of test equipment used to maintain the NAS are identified as requiring calibration, yet the program does not provide funding at the nati onal level to accomplish this. The local field facilities are requir ed to pay for the calibration. This is an issue that may be best addressed through ATSAP. POCs: Don Smith and NATCA Labor Relations Attorney Suzanne DeFelice .