10 | 18 | 2021
A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
Photo by Ashley Cowan
NNS Relaunches Vaccination Site
Newport News Shipbuilding has relaunched its COVID-19 Vaccination Site at the old Apprentice School gym in support of the federal mandate to vaccinate all employees by Dec. 8.
QuadMed medical staff from the HII Family Health Center is administering the Pfizer vaccine. To be fully vaccinated with Pfizer by the deadline, shipbuilders must have their first injection by Nov. 3. To schedule an appointment, visit myquadmed.com/hii-nns/COVID-vaccine. Shipbuilders also can call the COVID hotline at 1-844-243-8749, option 6.
Walk-ins will also be accepted, however, shipbuilders who make appointments will be prioritized. Operating hours are as follows: • Monday and Tuesday: 4:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Vaccines will be administered from 4:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
• Wednesday through Friday: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Vaccines will be administered from 6:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Hourly employees may charge up to 1.5 hours for each visit required for the two-
shot vaccine. Salaried employees should flex their time. Shuttle bus transportation will be available during the center’s operating hours. Shuttles will pick up employees at the 46th and 50th street gates and the North Yard main gate. Additional pick-ups will be at the corner of 43rd Street and Washington Avenue and at the corner of 31st Street and West Avenue. Employees also can take advantage of in-yard vaccination events held every Wednesday through Nov. 17 in Bldg. 4931-1 (PCU Assembly Room). The hours vary to accommodate different shifts.
Raffles Pay Off for Vaccinated Shipbuilders Fully vaccinated Newport News Shipbuilding employees are beginning to reap rewards from a series of raffles that began earlier this month. NNS is holding raffles for parking and monetary prizes to thank shipbuilders who have received their COVID-19 vaccination. Keion McDowell won a reserved parking spot in Zone A for one year in the first of three such drawings. Two additional reserved parking spaces in Zone A will be raffled off – one on Nov. 1 and one on Dec. 1.
In addition, Andrew Crawford and Kremlin Yee each won $7,500 after their names were drawn in the first of five cash-prize raffles. Additional dates for the monetary raffles are as follows: • Oct. 22:
$5,000
• Nov. 12:
$2,500
• Oct. 29:
$3,750
• Nov. 19:
$2,500
• Nov. 5:
$3,750
Employees whose names are drawn must present proof of vaccination to claim their prizes. NNS is working to comply with a federal mandate to fully vaccinate its workforce by Dec. 8.
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10 | 18 | 2021 who have demonstrated excellence in the workplace and in their communities. Gabriella Bishop, a software engineer, and Traci Jones, an electrical engineer, received Technology Rising Star awards, which recognize women who are helping to shape future technology.
Pictured from left are Gabriella Bishop, Marissa Hodge, Traci Jones and Lakela Lofton.
Shipbuilders Honored During Conference Four Newport News Shipbuilding employees were recognized for their achievements in science, technology, engineering and math during the 26th annual Women of Color STEM Conference. Both the conference and awards ceremony were hosted virtually Oct. 7-9.
Lakela Lofton, a program manager, received the Managerial Leadership award. The award recognizes individuals whose accomplishments in leading and managing make her stand out and whose career choices serve as an example to women working to move beyond what are considered traditional roles for women.
Marissa Hodge, a Quality manager, received a Technology All-Star award, which recognizes accomplished women of color from mid-level to advanced stages of their careers
Recognizing National Quality Month As Newport News Shipbuilding continues to observe National Quality Month, O06 is highlighting In-Service Aircraft Carrier (ISCVN) Programs, which encompasses USS George Washington (CVN 73) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Below is a message from Mike Jones, ISCVN program trade director. “The work that we do building and overhauling the world’s most advanced aircraft carriers and submarines is extremely important, for they stand as powerful symbols of our nation’s military might. The men and women who serve on these great vessels depend on NNS to provide the highest quality products to allow them to protect our nation and ensure our freedom. It is important for us to continuously strive for and produce first-time quality. This helps eliminate defects and waste, improves cost and schedule performance, and – most importantly – allows us to build customer confidence,” he said.
Pictured from left in the left photo are Satchel Powell, Justin Breault, Robert Teel and Robert Lane. Pictured from left in the right photo are Vernon Eason, Kurt Fortner, Zachary Taylor, Benjamin Lanning, Tyler Grice and Dino Martin.
round of “Quality Craftsman” winners: Justin Breault (X18) and X18 group “The Delivery Team,” including Tyler Grice (X18), Zachary Taylor (X18), Kurt Fortner (X18) and Benjamin Lanning (X18). Since 2018, Breault has welded 481 consecutive pipe X-ray welds without a single defect, leading NNS in pass rate/welded pipe X-rays for nuclear and non-nuclear pipe joints. His message to new shipbuilders: “Understand the procedures, work to the procedures, and prioritize compliance.” Often requested by name, members of “The Delivery Team” have continually displayed exemplary first-time quality during their daily tasks with multiple counts of zero rejects and no failures, citing their abilities as second to none. The next round of “Quality Craftsman” nominations is due Oct. 22. All nominations should be sent to the appropriate program quality manager (PQM) within Steve DeBusk’s group.
The Quality Team also recognized the first
Shipbuilders Can Bring Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination to Access Center Newport News Shipbuilding and leased employees who are unable to submit their proof of vaccination electronically can bring their proof to the NNS Access Center (Bldg. 625) Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 12 p.m. and from 12:30 until 4:30 p.m. The in-person option is available now until Nov. 29. The center also will be open on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Those who received their COVID-19 vaccine from QuadMed, the NNS Vaccination Site or an in-yard vaccination event do not need to submit proof. As a reminder, proof of vaccination also can be emailed to NNSVaxCard@hii-nns.com through Nov. 24. The email should include the employee’s name and PERNR.
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AROUND THE YARD Shipbuilders Needed to Join JMAF Team The Joint Manufacturing and Assembly Facility (JMAF) allows Newport News Shipbuilding to build the pressure hull sections of bows and sterns of submarines faster, more efficiently and in a less labor-intensive manner. This fixture is designed to build both Virginia- and Columbia-class submarine modules. The production team is working innovative new shifts to ensure the most productivity. The team is looking for additional fitters and welders. NNS is adding X11 fitters and X18 welders to support work in Bldg. 1908. Fitters will have to have the ability to learn how to run automated equipment and pass semi-automatic machine tack qualifications. Welders will have to show they have the ability to pass Class 1 UT with semi-automatic and mechanized Pulse Arc and MIG qualifications. Candidates are needed for both first and second shift. Employees will work a nonstandard 12-hour shift. First shift will work 12 hours with paid lunch periods for four consecutive days (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and then be off from work for four consecutive days. The shift schedule will continue with start days moving to the right of each new week. See example below. • Week One: Employee works Monday-Thursday (6 a.m. until 6 p.m.) and is off Friday-Monday.
Second-shift employees also will work the same 12-hour, fourday schedule (6 p.m. to 6 a.m.) but will additionally receive shift premium pay. Any employees assigned to one of the nonstandard work shifts will be paid time and one half for all time worked after eight hours in the workday and/or for hours over 40 in the work week. In addition, an employee on a nonstandard shift who works an unscheduled Saturday and/or Sunday will be paid in accordance with the current Labor Relations agreement. For holidays, an employee on a nonstandard shift shall receive holiday pay regardless of whether scheduled to work, providing eligibility requirements are met. In reference to vacations, an employee on a nonstandard shift who takes a full day (12 hours) of annual leave on a scheduled workday shall be paid as though the scheduled shift has been worked. Shipbuilders interested in joining the team should visit buildyourcareer.wufoo.com/forms/jmaf-schedule or contact Craig Hooten at 757-897-3283 (if no answer, leave a message with name, PERNR, current shift and work location). For more information, employees should contact their labor representative in O21.
• Week Two: Employee works Tuesday-Friday (6 a.m. until 6 p.m.) and is off Saturday-Tuesday.
Night School Seeks Instructors The Night School is looking for instructors for the Apprentice application credit, basic skills, computer, shipyard and trades classes. Classes are nine weeks long and held either once or twice per week: MondaysThursdays from 4:15-6:45 p.m., or 4:307 p.m.; or Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Apprentice application credit classes include math (algebra I, algebra II and geometry), and mechanical drawing. Basic skills classes consist of pre-algebra. Computer classes include Word, Excel, Project, Visio and Computer Fundamentals.
Shipyard classes include basic ship checking for ship alterations and shipyard operations. Trades courses include electrical theory, elementary print reading and fundamentals of pipefitting. At this time, there is an immediate need for an air conditioning and refrigeration instructor. Additional information, including class descriptions, is available on the Night School website. The Night School is open to suggestions for new classes to support company needs and direction. Shipbuilders who are interested should contact Sherry Morgan (O22) at 688-8608.
Confirmed Cases of COVID-19
Cases reported last week: 41
Total cases at NNS: 4,745
NNS employees medically cleared to return to work: 3,599
NNS employees vaccinated: 60%
See case details at nns.huntingtoningalls.com/411.
Joyner to Represent NNS on American Red Cross Board Natalie Joyner, a manager of Security, is Newport News Shipbuilding’s American Red Cross Coastal Chapter Board of Directors representative. Joyner’s position with NNS embraces strong organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as resilient leadership and team player qualities; all of which make her a perfect match. NNS has an extensive and robust partnership with the American Red Cross. Prior to his retirement in 2020, George Bradby served faithfully on the Red Cross board for 12 years.
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10 | 18 | 2021
DATEBOOK OCTOBER 20
The Professional Enhancement and Enrichment Rotation (PEER) Program is hosting a learn at lunch WebEx event for potential candidates from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The program is open to salaried individual contributors. To sign up, visit the PEER Program website on MyNNS.
OCTOBER 20
Join Engineering & Design, Amber Richardson (O36) and Chris Brown (O35) from noon until 12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session on WebEx 102. Since you already know the basics, we can kick it up a notch. WebEx 102 will cover some advanced WebEx functionality that people may not know exist. Want to impress your team? Sign up on MyNNS to receive a calendar invite to attend. For questions and concerns, email E&D Connections.
OCTOBER 25
The PMSA will host an after-hours presentation on the PMP Study and Development Program with Mary Amparo, Debra Brand and Dennis Diones from 4 to 5 p.m. via WebEx. The event is open to all employees by reservation only. Sign up on the PMSA website. For questions, contact Dennis Diones or email PMSA@hii-nns.com. No charge is provided.
OCTOBER 26
PMP Master Prep will host a lunchtime presentation, “PMP Exam Prep Information Session - Step by Steps on How to Pass,” with Scott Payne from 12 to 12:30 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. The event is open to all employees by reservation only. Sign up on the PMSA website. For questions, contact Debra Brand, or email PMSA@hii-nns.com. No charge is provided.
OCTOBER 26
Women in Shipbuilding Enterprise (WiSE) invites shipbuilders to participate in a WiSE Talk with Women in Business from 4:30 until 5:30 p.m. via WebEx. Join executive leaders as they share their personal experiences. The topic for this event is “De-stress to stay focused and productive.” Sign up on MyNNS. For more information, contact Kathy Hansen at 534-3893 or via email.
OCTOBER 27
Join the Engineering & Design Communications Team from noon until 12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session on active listening. This session is part of a Capitalize Communication series that is focused on using tools and techniques to improve communication. Active listening is the key to getting the most out of a conversation because it concentrates on what is being said and involves fully engaging in the messages that are being conveyed. Sign up on MyNNS to receive a calendar invite to attend. For questions and concerns, email E&D Connections.
OCTOBER 28
The Spear and Gear Toastmasters Club invites shipbuilders to its monthly virtual meeting to hear speech presentations, participate in table topics and hear speech evaluations to develop public speaking, listening and leadership skills from 6 until 7 p.m. via Zoom. Those interested in joining should contact Jamar Skyles (E03) or Tammy Smith (N358) for more information.
OCTOBER 30
Shipbuilders and their families are invited to participate in the Women in Shipbuilding Enterprise (WiSE) Halloween CARavan from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Bldg. 600. WiSE members will give away candy, school supplies and WiSE swag. Sign up online by Oct. 22. For more information, contact Donna Diggs at 688-4261 or via email.
NOVEMBER 1-30
Newport News Shipbuilding’s 2021 Holiday Food Drive will be held Nov. 1-30. Options will be available to order food items or donate monetarily to the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank online and containers will be located at gates/turnstiles to drop off food items. Boxes also will be available for on-site department collections and competitions. In addition, employees can make a one-time credit card donation or reoccurring payroll and one-time payroll deductions at nns.YourCause.com.
NOVEMBER 5
The Nature Conservancy and Virginia Department of Forestry need help to box seedlings of rare longleaf pine trees from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Garland Gray Forestry Center, located at 19127 Sandy Hill Rd., Courtland, VA 23837. Register on NNS Gives.
NOVEMBER 11
The Spear and Gear Toastmasters Club invites shipbuilders to hear speech presentations, speech evaluations and participate in table topics to develop public speaking, listening and leadership skills from 4 until 5 p.m. at VASCIC. COVID-19 protocols will be in place, masks will be required. Those interested in joining should contact Jamar Skyles (E03) or Tammy Smith (N358) for more information, seats are limited.
NOVEMBER 30
The African American Shipbuilders Association employee resource group is hosting a blood drive to support those with sickle cell disease. Look for more information in future editions of Currents.
NOVEMBER 30
PMP Master Prep will host a lunchtime presentation, “PMP Exam Prep Information Session - Step by Steps on How to Pass,” with Scott Payne from 12 to 12:30 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. The event is open to all employees by reservation only. Sign up on the PMSA website. For questions, contact Debra Brand, or email PMSA@hii-nns.com. No charge is provided.
NOVEMBER 7
FitNNS and the Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG) are teaming up to support the Hidden Heroes Virtual 5K. Hidden Heroes is a national campaign to bring more services and support to America’s military and veteran caregivers. To register for the virtual race, visit give.hiddenheroes.org/event/hidden-heroes-5k/e347259. Use promo code FITNNS to save 20% on registration. Registration includes a race shirt, an official race bib, a finisher’s medal and participation instructions.
PMSA CONGRATULATES SHIPBUILDERS
The Project Management Shipbuilder Association (PMSA) congratulates Lestra Cole and Michael LaPuma on becoming a newly certified Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professionals (PMP). After many hours of reading, studying, and taking practice exams, they successfully passed the PMP exam.
SEEKING SHIPBUILDERS
Visit www.buildyourcareer.com to search for the latest NNS job openings.
Job Title
Req Number
Dept.
Location
CNC Machinist (Experienced) CNC Machinist Pipe Deck Electrician (Trainee, Entry-level & Experienced) Firefighter/EMT 1 Fitter (Trainee, Entry-level & Experienced) Outside Machinist (Trainee, Entry-level & Experienced) Production Planner & Scheduler 1 Refueler (Experienced) Rigger (Entry-level & Experienced) Sheet MetalWorker (Trainee, Entry-level, & Experienced) Ship Safety Watch X36 Product Trainer 3 Welder (Trainee, Entry-level & Experienced)
10031 5822 10111, 10112, 10110 7164 10030, 10028, 10029 10095, 10093, 10094 10288 10096 10407, 10424 10465, 10448, 10464 10092 9873 10109, 10099, 10098
M53 X42 X31 O15 X11 X43 E81 X43 X36 X32 X43 O26 X18
Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News
Employees are encouraged to use MyHR or the “Current HII Employees Job Search” button at www.buildyourcareer.com to apply. The company continues to offer cash bonus awards for referrals to select positions, visit www.huntingtoningalls.com/hii-careers/refer-a-friend for more information.