Subject: Credit Hour Policy
Effective: February 1, 1999
PURPOSE: To create a Credit Hour Policy to compliment the current Alternate Work Schedule (AWS) for Bargaining Unit Members at the Amarillo ATCT. It is understood that the success of this policy requires cooperation on the part of all concerned within the facility. Any action that would reduce productivity, diminish the level of service provided, or increase the cost of agency operations must be avoided.
BACKGROUND: The use of Alternate Work Schedules is approved in accordance with the negotiated agreement, federal laws, rules, and regulations.
In addition to the provisions of the NATCA/FAA Agreement, the following guidelines shall be applied when earning/using credit hours under this policy:
1) Participants shall be Bargaining Unit Members who volunteer.
2) Employees will be responsible for tracking their credit hours.
3) Credit hours are earned/used in consecutive 15-minute increments. Employees earning/using credit hours must sign in/out at the appropriate 15-minute increments (i.e.:00, :15, :30, :45).
4) Employees, upon request, will normally be permitted to work credit hours on the backside of day shifts and the front side of evening shifts.
5) Employees may work up to eight credit hours on any regularly scheduled day off when the employee obtains prior approval from the employer.
6) All employees working credit hours will report to the OS/CIC or the ATM, as appropriate, for assignment of meaningful work. For the purpose of this agreement, meaningful work is defined as follows, in order of priority: a) Operational position assignment (IAW FAR Part65) b) Approved training activities c) Approved meetings d) Approved counseling e) Approved self study requirements f) Other assignments approved by management
Briefing on the policy (will not be included in the actual order)
This policy is in addition to the current AWS and in no way replaces or modifies the 5-4-9 schedule. Management and the union agreed to the timeframes/shifts mentioned in #4 as times that meaningful work normally exists and should be considered as approved. Requesting the credit hours from the OS/CIC/ATM should constitutes management's approval. If the request is denied it should be for substantial reasons.
Alliance, Adhoc groups, and other projects approved by management are acceptable reasons for meaningful work and are allowed by the ATM under #6 (c) and #6 (f). Time spent on this type of work may be pursued off premises, with notice to the ATM.
Until such time that the cap on credit hours is lifted, comp time is still available for work performed above and beyond the 24 hours currently allowed.
Original Version of the MOU (adapted to AMA)
After reviewing management's counterpropsal, we opted to eliminate several paragraphs that were covered in the CBA
Memorandum of Understanding
Subject: Credit Hour Policy
Effective: February 1, 1999
PURPOSE: To create a Credit Hour Policy to compliment the current Alternate Work Schedule (AWS) for Bargaining Unit Members at the Amarillo ATCT. It is understood that the success of any schedule established under this Memorandum requires cooperation on the part of all concerned within the facility. Any action that would reduce productivity, diminish the level of service provided, or increase the cost of agency operations must be avoided.
BACKGROUND: The use of Alternate Work Schedules is approved in accordance with the negotiated agreement, federal laws, rules, and regulations.
THE PARTIES AGREE:
1) Participants in any AWS shall be Bargaining Unit Members who volunteer.
2) "Credit Hours" means any hours worked under a flexible AWS which are in excess of any employee's basic work requirement and which are worked at the election of the employee, after approval by the employer. Employees may accrue and carry over credit hour into any pay period, in accordance with applicable law. Procedures for approving the use of earned credit hours shall be the same as those for approving annual leave.
3) Credit hours can be interchangeable with annual leave at the discretion of the employee.
4) Any credit hours accrued between the core hours of 0600 and 2400 during the employee's regularly scheduled workday shall be considered authorized by the employer.
5) The Employer shall not require employees to work additional hours or days for credit hours. Employees who are required to work in excess of their scheduled hours or days shall be paid overtime or receive credit hours at the employees' option.
6) Employees will be responsible for tracking their credit hours.
7) Credit hours are earned/used in consecutive 15-minute increments. Employees earning/using credit hours must sign in/out at the appropriate 15-minute increments (i.e.:00, :15, :30, :45).
8) Credit hours cannot be used before they are earned.
9) Employees, upon request, will normally be permitted to work credit hours on the backside of day shifts and the front side of evening shifts.
10) Employees may work up to eight credit hours on any regularly scheduled day off when the employee obtains prior approval from the employer.
11) All employees working credit hours will report to the operational floor to the OS/CIC for assignment of meaningful work. For the purpose of this agreement, meaningful work is defined as follows, in order of priority: a) Operational position assignment (IAW FAR Part65) b) Approved training activities c) Approved meetings d) Approved counseling e) Approved self study requirements f) Other assignments approved by management
Signatures Here!!!