White House’s PRIORITY TO REDUCE TELEWORK AND THE RABBIT’S HOLE AT 800 INDEPENDENCE
The US House, the Biden White House and even ZOOM[1], which creates the technology that facilitates remote work, have called for the AGGRESSIVE REDUCTION in telework within the federal sector.
White House chief of staff Jeff Zients wrote, “We are returning to in-person work because it is critical to the well-being of our teams and will enable us to deliver better results for the American people.“
- “As we look towards the fall, and with the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, your agencies will be implementing increases in the amount of in-person work for your team,” he added. “This is a priority of the President — and I am looking to each of you to aggressively execute this shift in September and October.”
- Zients wrote that the changes will not eliminate working remotely but rather combine that flexibility “while ensuring we have the in-person time we need to build a strong culture, trust, and interpersonal connections.”
The source cited in all of these back-to-office work calls has been constituent complaints to the Hill and 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. about AGENCY SERVICE BACKLOGS, and local government officials worried about the faltering commercial real estate market.
The Biden initiative was heard at the DOT/FAA and an email was sent to the agencies work partners warning them of a reduction of this privilege in the Fall. On August 3rd, a change of direction ensued putting the return to the normal workplaces on hold. The below articles chronicle this turnabout.
What is unclear is why the FAA decided to forego the White House’s priority. Reviewing appointments, especially one that transgresses the authority of the FAA Chief Counsel to be the Administrator’s sole lawyer, may reveal how/why/who for ignoring the President’s pronouncement. On July 31, this anonymous[2] FAA press release was issued:
“The Federal Aviation Administration named KYLE A. DECANT as senior labor policy advisor. He will oversee strategic planning on labor issues and advise the agency’s acting administrator and deputy administrator. This is the first time the FAA’s front office will have a permanent position focused on these issues. ’Kyle brings very strong legislative and policy experience to this position. He will be a great asset as we work with our labor partners daily to achieve our safety mission,’ said Deputy FAA Administrator Katie Thomson.”
Ah hah, may one assume that four days later, August 3, 2023[3], PAUSE was the counsel of the new Administrator’s Labor Legal Adviser?
Mr. DeCant’s resume shows a strong affinity for labor issues, but a dearth of experience actually involved in labor negotiations and an absence of representing management in such issues. His AV legal rating would be as legislative advice to labor committees
[1] History mavens may see some relevance on the 8/3 date- The Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) went on strike at 7:00 am Eastern Time.
The rabbit hole at 800 Independence is getting curiouser and couriouser especially when many aver that the FAA’s safety mission is being inhibited by a lack of productiivity.
One of the union comments said that a “BUSINESS CASE HAS YET TO BE MADE FOR WHY CURRENT TELEWORK AGREEMENTS SHOULD CHANGE.” Since he seems unaware of a plethora of criticisms of the FAA’s poor productivity, here are a few sources pointing to problems—with or without telework and as to the agency’s major safety missions (all unionized)- air traffic, repair/maintenance/installation of the supporting ATC technology, airline safety regulation and aircraft certification. {It’s not 100% clear how some of these functions can be performed away from offices.}:
- The FAA does not provide a specific timeline for the completion of the Part 121 certification process, as it may vary depending on each individual case. However, some sources suggest that it may take ANYWHERE FROM 12 TO 24 MONTHS OR MORE.
- One of the factors that may affect the speed of the FAA processing of air carrier applications is STAFF PRODUCTIVITY. Staff productivity refers to the amount and quality of work performed by the FAA employees who are responsible for reviewing and approving the applications.
- According to a report by the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General (OIG), the FAA uses four inputs to calculate staffing ranges:
- One of the factors that may affect the speed of the FAA processing of air carrier applications is STAFF PRODUCTIVITY. Staff productivity refers to the amount and quality of work performed by the FAA employees who are responsible for reviewing and approving the applications.
(1) staffing standards, which are based on mathematical models,
(2) the facility’s past productivity,
(3) productivity at similar facilities,
and
(4) the number of controllers requested by field management to staff the facility.
- The OIG has found that the FAA should improve its data collection and analysis on staff productivity and workload, DEVELOP PERFORMANCE MEASURES and BENCHMARKS FOR STAFF PRODUCTIVITY, and provide more training and guidance for staff on how to use and apply the staffing standards and models
- The FAA staff productivity is one of the factors that may affect the speed and efficiency of the type certification process. The FAA staff includes engineers, inspectors, test pilots, and other specialists who are responsible for reviewing and approving the applications. The FAA uses various inputs to calculate the staffing ranges for its staff, such as staffing standards, past productivity, productivity at similar facilities, and the number of staff requested by field management.
- However, there are some challenges and limitations that may affect the staff productivity and the type certification process. These include:
- The lack of reliable and consistent data on staff productivity and workload across different facilities.
- The difficulty in measuring and comparing staff productivity across different types of facilities.
- The need for more training and guidance for staff on how to use and apply staffing standards and models.
FAA pauses back-to-office plan after unions balk at telework changes
Friday, Aug 4
The Federal Aviation Administration notified employees on Thursday that it will PAUSE CHANGES TO TELEWORK AGREEMENTS after announcing its intent two weeks ago to bring employees back to the office more frequently this fall.
In an email obtained by Federal Times, the agency acknowledged there have been questions and concerns from employees about the return-to-office plan, which the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists union said conflicts with the labor agreement that represents 11,000 employees.
“First, we will immediately increase our collaboration across the agency and with our labor partners as we gather input on the business guidance for managers to use when updating telework agreements,” the Aug. 3 email said. “Second, until more work is done, we will hold on revising any current telework agreements, except where driven by immediate business needs, and in accordance with collective bargaining agreements.”
Dave Spero, national president of PASS, on Friday said in a message to members that he commends the agency for listening to concerns[1].
“I am not aware of what collaboration would look like as it is PASS’s position that a BUSINESS CASE HAS YET TO BE MADE FOR WHY CURRENT TELEWORK AGREEMENTS SHOULD CHANGE,” he said. “As I have stated since the July 20 announcement, the FAA is required to negotiate with the union on this issue.”
Transportation Dept. to bring teleworking employees back to offices
The Transportation Department joins a growing number of federal agencies that are seeking to increase in-person work.
Last month, the agency set a new expectation for teleworkers and remote workers that would mandate an in-office presence at least three days per week this fall.
A spokesperson for the agency did not elaborate further on what led to this update or whether the return date of Oct. 9 would be postponed, saying only that “the agency will increase its in-office presence” and get further input.
The agency maintained that while all agencies are grappling with how to implement and interpret the White House’s directives to increase in-person work in a way that is “meaningful” — per the language of the memos — the FAA’s mission will require collaboration and engagement in the future.
“This business guidance will answer questions about pre-pandemic and future workplace flexibilities,” the email said.
More than half of government employees prefer to work with an organization that offers hybrid and remote work.
It also said it will be looking at other needs such as office space, hybrid technology and facility amenities.
On July 21, a day after the agency alerted employees to re-entry plans, PASS filed a national grievance that alleged the agency’s intent to limit workplace flexibilities is a significant change to working conditions that must be bargained….
The National Federation of Federal Employees union also said in a video statement it was not consulted on the policy change and has filed a national grievance.
“We are going to fight this misguided policy,” said Randy Erwin, national president.
Brad Davidson, a regional union leader for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, wrote in a July 26 update that his union, too, expect {stet “expects”} no changes to current telework programs that are codified in agreements.
“I do anticipate that we will have some potential future issues with the agency as it relates to telework in and around Washington DC,” he said in the post. “The OMB memo we believe is initially intended to address the Washington, D.C., area and the struggling businesses and tax base of the district. DC relies heavily on the federal worker and the daily revenue that is produced from our presence in the district with travel, parking, fuel, transportation, hotel usage, and food purchases.”
[1] “Zoom, patron saint of remote work, calls workers back,”
[2] Usually a high level appointment is attributed to the Secretary, the Administrator, the DOT General Counsel (to whom all DOT modal counsels report on legal matters) or even the FAA Chief Counsel. That only a recently appointed Deputy Administrator, a lawyer and once ACC-1, commented makes this “bizarreR”(intentional creation of a higher level of the adjective).
[3] History mavens may see some relevance on the 8/3 date- The Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) went on strike at 7:00 am Eastern Time.
[4] The union was misled early last week when a senior labor relations official informed PASS that a notice would be forwarded to unions prior to an announcement to employees. “This would have allowed us the opportunity to clarify to upper management that this message conflicts with our CBAs and to bargain if necessary over the matter,” said PASS National President Dave Spero. Instead, the message was sent directly to employees, bypassing the unions who represent them. PASS finds it disingenuous that management stated in the video that FAA leadership is committed “to work closely and thoughtfully with all of you [employees] and our labor partners during this process.” That didn’t happen.
“I spoke to Acting FAA Administrator Polly Trottenberg after we found out that the message had gone to employees with a token heads up given to us just minutes before,” continued Spero. “I told her in no uncertain terms that this action was in clear violation of our contracts.” PASS did not, and was not, given the opportunity to discuss, collaborate or influence the decision to “revise” telework agreements.
