09/10/2024
Hello Region II,
"Tropical Storm Francine formed and quickly intensified Monday in the southern Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to sweep north and strike Louisiana as a dangerous Category 2 hurricane on Wednesday.
The National Hurricane Center warned that there is a danger of both a “life-threatening” storm surge and damaging hurricane-force winds for the Louisiana coast. The surge — or rise in ocean water above normally dry land — could also affect parts of the upper Texas coast northeast of Galveston and Houston."
Please remember to prepare for the worst and hope for the best when facing a Strom like this. If anyone needs anything don't hesitate to reach out. Keep yourself and your family safe.
Reminder that article 57 in the CBA is there for you to use in case you need to evacuate or take shelter and prepare.
ARTICLE 57 Hazardous Geological/Weather Conditions
Section 1. Given the essential nature of FAA responsibilities, employees are expected to make a reasonable effort to report for work during hazardous geological/weather conditions between the employee’s home and their duty location; however, they are not expected to disregard their personal safety or that of their family. All employees who are unable to report for duty shall notify their facility/office as soon as possible. Employees who are unable to report for duty shall be granted excused absence at the time of their request, subject to the review process in
Section 2. If requested, employees shall provide information that supports their request for excused absence as soon as feasible after returning to duty. Examples of information are: a. oral or written statements; b. conditions that the employee encountered; c. a synopsis of efforts made; and d. other information which provides an explanation or which shows hazardous geological/weather conditions prevented the employee from reporting to the facility/office or compelled the employee to safeguard his or her family against such phenomena. Section 2. When deciding to sustain or rescind excused absence(s) granted in Section 1, the Agency, during joint review with the Union, shall consider reports from the employee, civil authorities, current meteorological information, news media, official road reports, leave approvals, reduced staffing or closings at other area government facilities.
Section 3. When the Agency at the local level, after consulting with the Union, determines that hazardous geological/weather conditions exist or are imminent, on-duty bargaining unit employees shall be released as soon as possible as staffing and workload permit. Volunteers to remain on duty shall be utilized to the extent possible.
Section 4. The Agency retains the right to determine the opening, closing, and use of its facilities/offices during periods of hazardous geological/ weather conditions. Subject to security and operational needs, the Parties at the local level may review existing emergency readiness plans and, to the extent appropriate, negotiate supplemental procedures addressing the work and family safety concerns of employees during such hazardous conditions.
Section 5. At facilities/offices not in continuous operation, the Parties at that level shall negotiate procedures that employees shall use to notify the Agency in the event that they are unable to report on the opening shift. The procedures shall also establish the method the Agency will use to notify employees in the event that they are not required to report for duty due to hazardous conditions.
Semper Fi,
Douglas Lowe
MS Electrical Engineering Ohio Univ.
Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO
Region II Vice President
(407)-279-6498
