Update for the week ending 7/8/2006

One week in office and it went by very fast!

On Saturday, 7/1, TJ and I appointed Craig as Vice President and Steve as Secretary.  They had both volunteered to help and we are happy to have their assistance and experience.

I met with DD on Wednesday, 7/5.  The meeting was somewhat short because she was just coming in near the end of my shift.  We discussed several issues, the most important of which is the issue of supervisory coverage in the tower.  I made it clear that, after losing WP and MO from the CPC ranks, we need them in the tower 3 to 4 shifts each per week.  She agrees with me and told me that she also has to weigh that with the fact that she has to train them.  OK - I agree that it's important for them to know what they're doing so I'm willing to be patient and told her I would be.  That being said, I request that you advise me of any problems that might arise with our supes.  They are new and they will make mistakes.  I don't want to fry them, I want to help see that they are taught right for the good of everyone at BUR.

DD said she's still working on the "firm transfer offer" letters for those that she's talked to about tentative selections.  She expressed confidence that she would be able to make this happen but the process is on-going.

MA and BB gave me some info regarding our Dish Network and Sirius Radio subscriptions.  To better facilitate our financial dealings, we will obtain an FAA First Visa debit card.  This will allow us to make and track financial transactions for the local.  Before making this decision, I contacted Eric Hughes from SFO.  He is NATCA's NWP representative to the National Finance Committee and this issue is right up his alley.  He gave me feedback on exactly how we should handle our transactions.  I shared this with our Treasurer, TJ, and confirmed what the whole LEB had previously presumed - that the debit card is the way to go.

I used 2 hours of official time under Article 2, Section 17 of our Contract (the real one) otherwise known as "NATCA Time" on Thursday, 7/6, and used it to coordinate with BB on "hand-off" of Local issues, coordination with Eric Hughes, TJ, and anyone else who wanted my ear.  I also looked into the NATCA file cabinet to begin the process of familiarizing myself with it's content.  I looked through the snail mail, read and answered some e-mail and caught up on the NATCAnet BBS and John Carr's blog, "The Main Bang"

This update is getting out later than I planned because of my Air National Guard weekend as well as the increased activity around the house after the arrival of our 4-month-old Chihuahua, (Don) Julio, named for my favorite tequila.  The plan for next week is to coordinate Local Officer Training for TJ at the NATCA Academy in DC so that he'll be up-to-speed on our financials when reporting time comes and we'll all stay out of trouble.  I'll also get the bank account transferred and take care of protecting our Local's computer from viruses (it's un-protected right now).  I'll also look in to a low or no-cost alternative to the FAA's Internet connection for our Local's computer.

I have resurrected our local website at http://bur.natca.org   Please visit there often and I'll try to keep you interested with new information.  I also encourage you to get a NATCAnet BBS and NATCA national website account.  There is a ton of info to be had if you just take the time to go get it.

As always, stay in touch and communicate with me, please, positive or negative.  Remember that NATCA's position is that the green NATCA/FAA contract remains in effect until the parties have a signed, ratified by us, agreement.  Keep the faith and be safe.

JK