Dec. 13, 2021

12 | 13 | 2021

A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding

Photo by Ashley Cowan

Food Drive Nets Thousands of Meals Donations from Newport News Shipbuilding employees during the company’s annual food drive provided thousands of meals to the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank.

The food drive, held during the month of November, will support individuals and families in need across the region.

Departments and buildings across NNS held their own drives and competitions. Some of the largest department collections came from E81 and E84 in the Nuclear Propulsion Division and Structural Fabrication and Assembly (SFA) Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) champions.

Donna Tighe, director of development for the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank, thanked shipbuilders for displaying “the spirit of giving” throughout the year and especially during the annual food drive.

“We are always so thankful and grateful for the outpouring of generosity that will raise our neighbors up and give them hope for a healthier future,” she said. “It’s inspiring to see the outpouring of support and the collective work of coming together to help our most vulnerable neighbors across the greater Peninsula who are experiencing food insecurity.”

The Virginia Peninsula Foodbank serves Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, Williamsburg and York, James City, Gloucester, Mathews and Surry counties.

Celebrating the Master Shipbuilder Class of 1981 Spending 40 years at Newport News Shipbuilding was not what Arcino Quiero Jr. (X44) planned when he began his shipyard career in 1981.

“I had a two-year plan,” he said. Quiero had just graduated from Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) and was encouraged to apply to NNS by a friend from college who was already employed at the shipyard.

Quiero is among the 200 members of the Master Shipbuilder Class of 1981. Although he didn’t stick to his original plan, Quiero is “eternally grateful” for the things he learned, people he met and the life NNS allowed him to provide for his family. Now, he is happy to mentor newer shipbuilders, encourage them to take advantage of...

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NOTICE

This is the final edition of Currents for 2021. The newsletter will resume publication on Monday, Jan. 3, following Newport News Shipbuilding’s holiday shutdown. For more information, email currents@hii-nns.com.

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12 | 13 | 2021 between students while still being able to hear the instructor.

Below are comments from some of the students after the 10-week class ended.

“As an NNS office employee, I took the Shipyard Operations Night School course to obtain a better understanding of how the yard functions and a general overview of trades. Mr. Lynn Showalter, who was extremely knowledgeable and went out of his way to obtain access to observe different phases of the build and the finished ships, presented the class. Each week was a unique tour experience that brought much appreciation to the massiveness of the machinery, processes, skill level of employees and how the military functions within the ship. The course exceeded my expectations in every way possible.”

Heidi Moussa (O55) “I truly enjoyed myself and learned a lot. It really helps connect the dots and puts a story behind the numbers I deal with on a daily basis. It was great meeting people from other departments and functions in the company.”

Kevin Strecker (N365)

Shipbuilders participating in the Shipyard Operations class stand in front of Enterprise (CVN 65) in Dry Dock 12.

Students and Classes Return to Night School Newport News Shipbuilding’s Night School was pleased to offer in-person classes this past fall after a year of online classes. The Shipyard Operations class returned with a smaller class size to allow for more separation

“In a time when many opportunities are only offered virtually, I appreciate the opportunity to network and attend class with my peers in person. It was an educational and exciting experience to be able to visit and tour places within our organization, such as the Foundry, the interiors of carriers and submarines and participate in a tour of the Welding School and other facilities. These experiences will help me to perform my engineering duties more successfully now that I have had an opportunity to tour these features in person.”

Mohamed Elrahhal (E70) The Night School invites those interested to check out the multitude of classes and educational opportunities available to NNS employees. Learn more about Night School programs on MyNNS.

Celebrating the Master Shipbuilder Class of 1981

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...opportunities at NNS, and not to lose their “outside set of eyes.”

“Challenge the system,” he said. “If there is some way you think you can make a greater contribution to the company than you are in your current position, seek to find a way to get there.”

Fellow Master Shipbuilder Betty Evert (O53) also began her NNS career in 1981. “I’ve seen a lot of changes, and it’s a great feeling to be a part of this journey,” she said. “I came in here at 25, so I grew up in the yard. When I came in, you couldn’t have told me I was a kid, but now that I look back, I was just a kid.”

Karl Shulenburg (E84) also has seen many changes during the past 40 years. Some of the most striking involve technology.

“I think the most significant thing that has happened over my 40year career at the shipyard is the gradual – and I mean gradual – change from virtually no computers at the yard when I was hired in 1981 – probably only the IBM mainframe computer at the time – to having them literally everywhere in the shipyard now,” he said.

Tim Axsom (X36), the son of two shipbuilders, admits it was a

little intimidating coming into NNS as a new employee in 1981.

Four decades later, he is grateful for the experience.

“It just goes by so quick. There’s never been a time that I wanted to go somewhere else. Going from project to project throughout my whole career and ending up where I am is so satisfying. I just can’t explain it,” he said. “The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. You think it is, but it isn’t. Everything you need is right here if you want to do this type of work.”

Nathaniel Matthews Jr. (X32) said he had no intention of leaving NNS when he started his career in 1981. “I took it day by day, and I still can’t believe that I’ve been here 40 years. It’s just been a blessing to me,” he said.

Watch a video on MyNNS featuring some of this year’s new Master Shipbuilders. See the yearbook to learn more about the Class of 1981. Posters featuring the names of all NNS Master Shipbuilders will be available in the lobby of Bldg. 520 the week of Dec. 20.

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AROUND THE YARD End-of-Year Payroll Reminders Newport News Shipbuilding’s Payroll Office has announced the following deadlines for payroll processing: • 11:20 a.m. Monday, Dec. 20, is the deadline to approve time for Dec. 24 paychecks.

• 11:20 a.m. Monday, Dec. 27, is the deadline to approve time for Dec. 31 paychecks.

• 11:45 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, is the deadline to approve time to be included in 2021 reporting.

• 11:20 a.m. Monday, Jan. 3, is the deadline to approve time for Jan. 7 paychecks.

The Payroll Office (Bldg. 802-1, Suite 128) will close for the year at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 22. The last run for off-cycle checks

for 2021 will be Wednesday, Dec. 15, for salaried employees and Friday, Dec. 20, for hourly employees. Hourly and salary off-cycle checks will be generated on Monday, Jan. 3.

As a reminder, employees can still flex during the Dec. 20-Jan. 2 pay period (non-exempt employees must resolve flex weekly). All normal timekeeping rules still apply. Lost time such as PTO, annual leave, company pass out and salaried pass out can be entered and approved up to two weeks in advance. Ensure all elections for PTO, annual leave or pass out have been communicated to the foreman/ supervisor and are entered correctly by the approval deadlines. Callin, late notifications and changes for vacation will not be accepted.

Contact the Payroll Office (Dept. O95) with any questions.

Are You Familiar With the NNS Time-Charging Policy?

Time-charging requirements are outlined in policy SSO No. 10-403 (Time Collection and Attendance Reporting).

This policy can be found on MyNNS and provides an overview of time-charging requirements and associated procedures/guidance.

Employees who are unable to access MyNNS should ask their foreman/supervisor to print a copy of the policy for them. For time charging-related questions, employees should contact their foreman/ supervisor or O73 Labor Compliance for assistance.

Tax Reminders

WiSE Participates in Annual Secret Santa Project Members of the Women in Shipbuilding Enterprise (WiSE) employee resource group and Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) employees teamed up for the annual Secret Santa project to provide toys, books and clothes for 55 local children.

CASA employees work with children who have experienced abuse and neglect and are under the court’s supervision throughout the year. Brenda Meekins coordinated the event, which allowed shipbuilders to provide gifts for 55 children in this program.

Employees should review their name and address on pay stubs for accuracy. W-2s will be mailed to the address that appears on the check stub. The first and last name printed on the stub should appear exactly as it does on the employee’s social security card. If you need to submit an address or name change, visit the MyHR website and click the employee Information Updates Link for instructions. Changes updated in SAP by Jan. 10 will be reflected on the W-2.

Shipbuilders should also review and verify state withholding taxes are for states in which they have actually worked in 2021. If not, contact Kerrie Smith (O95) at 688-8228 or Debbie Burris (O95) at 688-2529.

As a reminder, employees who claimed exempt for tax year 2021 must submit a new W-4 form no later than Feb. 15.

Confirmed Cases of COVID-19

Total cases NNS employees employees Confirmed CasesNNS of COVID-19 at NNS: medically cleared to vaccinated:

Cases reported last week: 25

Cases reported lasttoweek: 4,831 return work:33 74%cases at NNS: 4,920 4,001 Total

See case details at nns.huntingtoningalls.com/411.

NNS employees medically cleared to return to work: 4,058 NNS employees vaccinated: 77%

See case details at nns.huntingtoningalls.com/411.

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12 | 13 | 2021

DATEBOOK DECEMBER 1-20

NOTICE: Access Center Temporary Closure

DECEMBER 16

STRIDE is collecting move-in kits to send to the LGBT Life Center this holiday season. Register on NNS Gives (nns.YourCause.com). The LGBT Life Center provides emergency, temporary and semi-permanent housing for people in the community who have nowhere else to go. With the colder temperatures of the winter season, rehoming is more important than ever. For more information, contact Tina Lawrence at 757-586-6869 or Ariel Matthews at 688-0220.

The Spear and Gear Toastmasters Club invites shipbuilders to an end-of-the-year virtual Toastmasters meeting via Zoom to hear speech presentations, speech evaluations and participate in table topics to develop public speaking, listening and leadership skills from 6 until 7 p.m. Those interested in joining should contact Jamar Skyles (E03), Paul Gee Jr. (O52) and Tammy Smith (N358) for more information and to receive the Zoom link.

DECEMBER 15

The Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG) is requesting volunteers to assist in laying Christmas wreaths in support of National Wreaths Across America Day from noon until 2 p.m. at Hampton National Cemetery. This a great family event to show support in our community. No charge will be provided. Sign up on NNS Gives (nns.YourCause.com). For additional information, contact Paul Gee (O52) at 688-9134 or Mike Altrogge (E84) at 380-3460.

Join Engineering & Design, Amber Richardson (O36) and Chris Brown (O35) from noon until 12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session on WebEx 103. Are you ready to build on the skills taught in WebEx 101 and 102? This session will cover more advanced WebEx functionality including sharing videos and whiteboard. Take your skills to the next level and lead virtual meetings like a pro. To learn more, sign up on MyNNS. For questions and concerns, email E&D Connections.

DECEMBER 18

Newport News Shipbuilding’s Access Center will be closed for maintenance from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 17.

As a reminder, the Access Center will be open for badging Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 12 p.m. (last video shown at 11:30 a.m.) and from 12:30 until 4 p.m. (last video shown at 3:30 p.m.) beginning Jan. 3. Temporary badges needed outside of these hours will be issued at the 37th Street traffic gate.

COMPANY STORE HOURS

The Company Store, located in the lobby of The Apprentice School (Bldg. 1919), is open from 11:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday until Dec. 21. Limited quantities of Apprentice School and NNS holiday ornaments are available for purchase for $9 each.

SEEKING SHIPBUILDERS

Visit www.buildyourcareer.com to search for the latest NNS job openings.

NNS SAFETY REPORT

Compared to figures from November 2020 Year-to-Date Injuries

Job Title

Req Number

Dept.

Location

Firefighter/EMT 1 Fitter (Trainee, Entry-level & Experienced) Nuclear Quality Inspector 2 Outside Machinist (Trainee, Entry-level & Experienced) Pipefitter (Trainee, Entry-level & Experienced) Refueler (Experienced) Sheet Metal Worker (Trainee, Entry-level & Experienced) Welder (Entry-level & Experienced)

7164 13451, 13464, 13465 10669 12964, 12924, 12944 12706, 12724, 12725 12965 12805, 12794, 12804 12784, 12764, 12744

O15 X11 O39 X43 X42 X43 X32 X18

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.

1,482 (up 29%) Year-to-Date Injuries with Days Away, Restricted or Transferred

1,076 (up 31%) Safety Task Team Inspection Closure Rate

97% (21% above goal)

Special Delivery Shipbuilders across Newport News Shipbuilding supported the annual food drive. Shipbuilders at Bldg. 872, pictured on the left, collected nearly 250 pounds of food, which Tim Brown (O53) and Travis Jefferson (O53) delivered to the Virginia Peninsula

Foodbank Dec. 2. Pictured in the center and the right are teams representing Structural Fabrication and Assembly (SFA), which donated nearly 2,500 pounds of food.