North Specialty
by Steve Sykes

We had an interesting visitor in the North last month, a man who must have one of the easiest jobs in the world. He was a NavCanada safety officer. The best I can tell this position would involve asking yourself two questions when presented with a problem: does it cost money? Will it affect anybody’s bonus. If the answer to either of these questions is yes, then no action will be taken!
The surest sign that fall is upon us is the annual “staff using the calendar and disregard traffic” festival at Winnipeg ACC. Despite (yet again) record traffic, the local “managers” assume this is 1974 and people only fly from May to August. Every day controllers must sit for three or more hours in an operating posit ion because there is no relief available. We tell our standback supervisor (usually your dataperson) who tells his supervisor, who tell his supervisor etc. etc. until they put back the staff. For 5 days! Repeat!! I know I never took the Transport Canada lunch hour management retreat, but I would think they would wait until traffic ACTUALLY decreases (weekends don’t count) and then reduce staff. But hey, what do I know? I’m just one of Mr. Hoffa’s henchmen.
As always, we continue to train. Recent check-outs include Peter Marrier and Ron Chev (who is now completing his North Low qualification). There are three students in the early OJT stage, one spinning upstairs, and a new class about to begin. Of course, all could change with re-sectorization, but the odds in Vegas say that study will be tossed in the garbage with the last ten knee-jerk studies. By the way, Garvin Taylor checked out about a year ago. (He told me I forgot to mention him; my fault, not the editors.)
We don’t have a contract if youdidn’t know. Me think that bad!!

Saskatchewan Specialty
by Terry Bobby

What's new in the Saskatchewan Specialty? Well, the framework that was to be Great Plains, is to be finished in the New Year. One report has it all ready for operation by the end of February '99. The other story, is that it will take until the end of May. This latter version sounds like the way this Company usually works (i.e. When the traffic and the weather are at their busiest, they will open this new sector). The last time this sector was open, for a brief period, it was mass confusion and some very unsafe conditions did exist. Hopefully, an adjustment period can be fit in before the summer rush begins.

Saskatchewan Specialty has had some new checkouts since the last Newsletter. One result of this, is that I personally have had two complete sets of days-off (4 and 3). This is like having holidays and, if I was not so old, I would remember the last time this happened! ('85 or '86 - I think!) The reason I bring this up is because some people are talking like "if we give up an hour-and-a-half a week, it's really no big deal". The days-off issue was paid for over the years when we took less salary for this benefit. We, in the Centres, must remember our fellow Tower controllers, most of whom enjoy their days-off all of the time. For them, the extra time would not be at all compensated for by the meagre offer from Nav Canada. When Management insists that we have to reduce Overtime, they neglect to point out that half of the controllers do not work Overtime. The other arguement that we must be more productive, is also a Red Herring. They just have to look at our stats every month to see that we *are* more poductive (more aircraft handled by the same number of positions). They *really* want us to work more hours for less pay! Before this Company came into existence, they knew our salaries, hours of work, and other benefits. Nobody, at that time, said anything about us having to give up these things for the new Company. If they say that they can't afford to continue with these benefits, then why don't they first cut out or decrease their generous refunds to the Airlines?? The extra hours are also not being compensated for when you take Holidays, which will end up costing you more hours of Leave if Management's proposal goes through. The other big factor is that, if we give in on the "hours issue" this time - then, how about "just one more hour?" the next time? Before you can say "Nav Canada", YOU will be working 40 hours per week!!! I won't be there, but I still say "NO!" to increased hours.

A standard shift cycle should be non-negotiable. We already work 9 different shifts in a 24 hour period in our Specialty. Knowing exactly which days-off we have coming, and which days we will be working, projected over a period of a year, is not an unreasonable job expectation. Most other jobs requiring shift workers, have only 3 shifts of work (12 - 8; 8 - 4; and 4 - 12). We already provide generous flexibility to the Company in this regard. Why should people who have never worked Centre traffic, dictate our cycles and staffing? The most telling statement, to me, reflecting the Company's attitude towards their employees, is that this coming weekend I will work a 7 in-the-evening to 3 in-the-morning Overtime Shift, but they will *not* put two controllers on Midnights!

The different proposals that are currently floating around from Nav Canada and our Union, are just *proposals*. I have always said that when it is a *formal* offer, then we can genuinely discuss it. We are almost a full year into negotiations, so let's not drop the ball now. The Union can only be as strong as its individual members allow it to be, and there is great strength in numbers.

Ontario Specialty
by Piero Ignagni

The last newsletter indicated the Ontario Specialty had the lowest moraland was the least supervised in the ACC. Moral is the same and supervisionis even less.Management has decided not to staff the 11-7 standback shift because ofconsiderable staff losses over the last year and the need to continue training. They will staff the position after adequate staffing becomes available. "This hopefully will be with the qualification of the twostudents we have in training." The second midnight coverage was also reviewedas a possible alternative to reduce staff requirements but that alternative is temporarily being withheld.I think there should be an attempt to staff the 11-7 shift whenever possible and the reasons for removing it are unjustified. Based on Decembers schedule if an effort was made to staff the shift, the majority of the shifts would probably be filled.
Paul Dyck, Ted Fudge and Doug Henault are permanent supervisors.Doug is currently on sick leave with no expected date of return.Gerry Holmstrom has resigned from supervisory duties due to "personnel"reasons. He's also not too impressed with a scheduled supervisorovertime on December 25.Jerry Brodt is acting supervisor from December till March. Congratulations!I'll know he'll find a good balance in which to conduct his new duties.
Lloyd Pascoe is currently working in the school and is anxiously awaiting his doctors approval to return to the floor.A new Ontario course is scheduled to commence training in the simulator beginning December, Greg Sexsmith and Rennie Smith are the chosen ones for that task.
Dave Dekker has also left Ontario Specialty for medical reasons and iscurrently undergoing DSC training. We wish you all the best Dave!
Pat Mersereau and Jamie Constantine are training on the job, they areboth in level 4 of 6. We wish them continued success.
Congratulations to: Joel Van Gorp for the birth of his daughter EmilyShawn Daulat for the birth of his son MatyasPaul Dyck for the birth of his grandson andWes Tanchak on his marriage this past summer.

Winnipeg Specialty
by Pete Thompson

Winnipeg continues to creak along, always wondering what the next day will bring. Most of the talk is centered around the contract, or lack thereof. Not too long ago, there were great discussions about how to improve training, how to improve procedures, and how to make the operation run better. Now that attitude has given way to a much less willing workforce-we will still never compromise safety, but the days of everyone pitching in to make everything run more smoothly are gone. Nobody volunteers to train, or to contribute to the company in any meaningful way, other than the minimum required to move the airplanes safely, and to collect a paycheck. Maybe, someday, the company will recognize the value of controllers as more than "licenses", and renumerate accordingly, and then there will be more willingness to give some of the expertise and creativity that is sitting latent at the boards.
Rumors, as always, abound. What is the great re-sectorization plan all about anyway? Will it carve Winnipeg specialty up into small pieces and spread it around the room? Are we willingly giving airspace to another ACC? Unfortunately, with no concrete answers to any of these questions from management, there is lots of talk, and uncertainty about our future.
Despite the low morale, training still continues. There are currently three OJT's on the floor in various stages of training. Upstairs in the regional school, three "displaced" Moncton ACC controllers are finishing up their Winnipeg conversion course, and are tentatively slated to come downstairs sometime in January. Once they are checked out, it is hoped that the "Easterners" will constitute a majority in the specialty!
The retirement pool will be starting soon, as we have about 15 controllers over the age of 45, all calculating the value of their pensions. A really bad contract will probably drive several out the door immediately, making an already poor staffing situation even worse.
Latest topic? We must really be top notch here in Winnipeg ACC, as we need less refreshing than anyone else. Apparently, YEG gets 2-3 days of refresher per year, YYZ get 2, and Montreal gets a whopping FIVE days. I know that our instructors were actually pretty good at refresher last year, but I didn't realize how good! They can cram more learning into 8.25 hours than anyone else around!
From Winnipeg Specialty, Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year to ALL!

Tri-Terminal
by Shelley Jensen

"We trained hard - but it seemed that every time we beginning to form up
into teams, we would be reorganized. I was to learn that in like we
tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing, and a wonderful method
it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing
confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization."
Petronius Arbiter, 66 A.D.
Ryan Fines qualified in tri-terminal in Oct.. Jason Shadbolt and Fred
Arbuckle commenced on job training in Oct.. A new course is starting in
the school Dec. 4, Garnet Ottenbreit and Shelley Jensen are in the
regional school till the completion of the course.

DSC Shop
by Ron Chase

By the time you read this issue of the Winnipeg Becon it will be common
knowledge that the DSC shop is losing another manager. Garry Brown has
accepted the RAIM position in Vancouver and reports early in the new
year. Garry has accomplished a great deal in his short for Winnipeg ACC
in his short term as RAIM and MATCOR. We will try to keep the momontium
going. Our loss is Pacifics gain wish and we Garry good luck in his new
position. Phill Laing will be sitting in Garry's old chair for the time
being. We will also be losing another DSC to the CSM desk. Gary Read
has been successful on the CSM competion and will report the the front
desk early in the new year. Our numbers may be down for now but will
sore to new heights late in '99 with three new bodies.
DSC training on new equipment and software has been an on going process
this past year. It seems as if at least one DSC was always away on some
course or another. Windows NT, NARDS, ETMS, CAATS just to name a few and
the end is not in sight. DSC CAATS training and Factory Accecptence
Testing, as well as Voice Switch training will be carried out in the new
year.
On the lighter side the DSC office has a higher percentage of
GARND-FATHERS then another specility in Winnipeg. One third of the
automation department, Phil Laing and Craig Winchar can claim this title.
Don't ask to see pictures, you will be tied up for an hour.!!!
From the DSC Shop Marry Christmas and have a Happy New Year.

Regional School
by Richard Nye

In the Winnipeg ACC School we got ourselves a new Godfather. Don Marcel has been easy to get along with, so far, but he does spend a lot of time away dealing with the five familia. We hear he still takes work home, not a healthy thing to do in the long run.
His lieutenants, Duncan Stewart, Bill Taylor, Dennis Smid and Tom Kresnyak keep wondering why the rest of you keep your distance. Those first three are not going to be with us forever you know, retirement has its attractions - maybe you should come and pay your respects, 1999 may well be your last opportunity. As for Tom, as it says on the school inventory:

Input device 14;
Junction electrical 4;
Kresnyak Tom 1;
Laser pointers 6.

The new year will also be a good time to come and see Liz Carter, who has been away on extended sick leave. Who needs an excuse to visit a lady anyway?
The Winnipeg course is currently on track under the guiding hand of Dan Schaefer, ably assisted by the impeccably stylish Keith Stilborn. The course is scheduled to hit the floor some time in late January, operational training permitting.
Brian Gudmonson will be leaving us, at least temporarily, December 8th. Rumour has it he's taking a little time away to find a green, green where a white ball has a chance of being found. We were all sad to see his golfing buddy, Peter Scammell, return to his instructional duties at TCTI. Brian's place is well filled by an old friend of the school, Mr. Lloyd Pascoe. Pink, is in the pink and looking good for the loss of a couple of pounds.
On a serious note Peter Scammell wanted me to pass on his thorough enjoyment of his time in Winnipeg and his pleasure at renewing so many friendships and meeting past students and acquaintances. Personally, running into your old course director is akin to having your High School principle walking the halls. It gives a perennial feeling of guilt!
His departure was also the occasion of the break up of the Tri-terminal and Ontario course into its constituent parts. Both parts have commenced sector specific training and will be entering the simulator soon.
Tri-terminal training passes into the hands of the meek and mild Shelly Jensen and the incomparable Garnet Ottenbreit (Semi-precious to his friends).
The fate of the Ontario trainees now rests with Greg Sexsmith and Rennie Smith. And if any two smiths can forge this group into shape, it has to be Rennie and Greg (I wonder who handles the bellows and who's in charge of the anvil?).
The next course starts on January 4th, with many well known faces participating. It has a stated destination of the North and Saskatchewan but is dogged by the whispered rumour of resectorization!
So who have I not hurled a barb at? Oh yeah, that (CATCA) representative bulk, reader of the manuals, the eternal trainee a real whale of a guy (for a Brit.) - "Dickey Nye, the Union guy". Who is reported to spend most of his time keeping people honest, but we suspect makes the odd offer you just cannot refuse!