On August 19, 2024, UPE met with the Department of Airports Communications Center to discuss important revisions to the DOACC 100-03 General Dress Code Policy and the DOACC 100-07 Scheduling and Leave Time Policy.
The Department proposed changing the General Dress Code Policy by adding a new rule that prohibited open-toe shoes. Additionally, the Department proposed language that workers should come to work “in good business taste.” UPE strongly opposed this vague language, as we believe it could lead to members being unfairly disciplined based on management’s subjective interpretation of “good business taste.” We swiftly raised our concern and negotiated with the Department to remove this vague language from the policy proposal. UPE is still in negotiations for other proposed changes concerning reasonable accommodation language proposed to be included in the dress code policy.
The Department has proposed changes to the scheduling and leave time policies, dividing the bidding process to be done in three different bidding schedules: for supervisors, senior airport operations dispatchers, and airport operations dispatchers. The process would shift from yearly to six-month bid increments, with members given two days to bid instead of three. Additionally, all work schedule bids, overtime selection, and vacation selection would be managed through Schedule Express. UPE raised concerns about the impact this could have on its members.
Stay tuned—UPE will meet with management and labor relations again on September 11, 2024, to continue these discussions. Our goal is to reach a fair, reasonable, and equitable resolution that upholds the rights of all members and achieves the best possible outcome.
UPE would like to thank Sylvia Garcia, and Jennifer Avalo, UPE 005 Governing Board members, for their advocacy and participation.