12 l 14 l 2020
A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
Jennifer Boykin and Cmdr. Erik Lundberg watch as Ronnie Payne welds the ship’s sponsor’s initials on a steel plate. Photo by Matt Hildreth
NNS Authenticates Keel for Massachusetts (SSN 798) Newport News Shipbuilding hosted a keel authentication ceremony Friday, Dec. 11, for Virginia-class attack submarine Massachusetts (SSN 798). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held without an audience.
Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer of Facebook, is the ship’s sponsor. In a pre-recorded video message, Sandberg etched her initials onto a metal plate, signifying the keel of SSN 798 as being “truly and fairly laid.”
“This construction milestone is typically a small ceremony with shipbuilders and the submarine’s crew in attendance,” said Newport News Shipbuilding President Jennifer Boykin. “Given the current COVID-19 environment and the precautions it requires, today’s event is smaller than usual in scope, but not in importance.”
Master Shipbuilder Ronnie Payne, who has worked on every Virginia-class submarine built at NNS, then traced Sandberg’s initials with a welding torch at the Supplemental Module Outfitting Facility. The metal plate will remain affixed to the ship throughout its life.
“Today’s event is a significant milestone in the life of the boat because it is the official construction kickoff, but it also marks the beginning of an important partnership between our shipbuilders who will build this mighty war vessel and the sailors who will bring her to life,” Boykin added.
“This year has been difficult for so many, and I am extra grateful for moments like this one when we can celebrate such an important milestone together,” Sandberg said. “I have a deep respect for the shipbuilders who will bring this vessel to life. I am so grateful for the opportunity to build a lifelong bond with this boat and its crew in my role as the sponsor.”
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NNS President’s Year-End Message Newport News Shipbuilding President Jennifer Boykin shared a video with shipbuilders Monday, Dec. 14, to thank them for their work in 2020 and to reflect on accomplishments from the year. Watch the video on MyNNS or on the NNS to Go app.
NOTICE
This is the final edition of Currents for the year. The newsletter will resume publication on Monday, Jan. 4, following Newport News Shipbuilding’s holiday shutdown. For more information, email currents@hii-nns.com.
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12 | 14 | 2020 On Dec. 11, Payne took center stage when he welded Ship’s Sponsor Sheryl Sandberg’s initials onto a steel plate during the Massachusetts (SSN 798) keel laying ceremony. A Newport News native, Payne didn’t originally set out to be a longtime shipbuilder. He had envisioned a future in the military to pursue his dream of becoming a helicopter pilot, but when his father became ill, he took a job at NNS to stay close to home. Payne’s crew mates describe him as a huge asset for his experience, welding ability and desire to help train the new generation of welders.
Ronnie Payne has been a shipbuilder for 43 years. Photo by Matt Hildreth
Master Shipbuilder Welds Massachusetts’ Keel Master Shipbuilder Ronnie Payne has served the Newport News Shipbuilding community as a welder for 43 years and has been a part of the Virginia-Class Submarine Program since it began.
“It’s why I stay here. I want to pass on everything I have learned to new shipbuilders and make sure they are doing it the right way,” he said. Payne believes “the sub life is the good life.” He said he will always have a sense of pride knowing he was responsible for welding Sandberg’s initials onto the plate that will be affixed to the ship for all time.
NNS Authenticates Keel for Massachusetts CONTINUED FROM PG 1
Massachusetts is the 25th Virginia-class submarine being built under the teaming agreement with General Dynamics Electric Boat. Construction began in March 2017 and is approximately 50% complete. The boat is scheduled for delivery in 2023. “One of the privileges in establishing a command from the very beginning is developing a relationship with the boat’s namesake state – a relationship inherited from our forebears and one that will last the life of the ship and beyond,” said Cmdr. Erik Lundberg, SSN 798’s commanding officer. “Our mission is clear – deliver the most advanced, most capable warship to the Navy and our nation with an equally advanced and capable crew to bring her to life. The crew of Massachusetts stands ready.” Watch a video of the ceremony on MyNNS.
NNS to Expand Industrial Vending Machine Usage Newport News Shipbuilding launched Fastenal industrial vending machines late last year to dispense personal protective equipment (PPE). Now, the company is planning to expand the number of locations and the scope of items available. “We’re looking at anything else that’s considered a consumable across the shipyard. That can be anything from a battery, a flashlight or a paint pen up to more complicated items such as grinding discs or welding tips,” said Amanda Wells, who manages the Fastenal machine project. New items will be added to machines using a phased approach. Simpler items will likely roll out during the first or second quarter of 2021, with more complicated items following later in the year. Wells said her team is looking at items currently offered in the tool rooms, weld metal issue stations and X33 paint shacks, as well as orange shacks. So far, the Fastenal machines have been a success, helping reduce travel time for craftsmen
More than 350 Fastenal vending machines are in use across the shipyard. Photo by Matt Hildreth
and craftswomen and providing point-of-use access for commonly used PPE and consumables. Currently, there are over 350 Fastenal machines across the shipyard. As new items roll out, usage will be evaluated by area, offerings optimized and new machines will be added as necessary. “We really want to optimize what we’re offering in the machines. We’re going to work to make sure we have the right products in the right locations,” Wells said.
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AROUND THE YARD Payroll Announces Processing Deadlines for Shutdown
Virtual Food Drive a Success
Newport News Shipbuilding’s Payroll Office has announced the following deadlines for payroll processing during the holiday shutdown.
During the company’s annual food drive in November, Newport News Shipbuilding employees provided more than 90,000 meals for people served by the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank. That’s an increase of nearly 30% from the number of meals provided by shipbuilders during the 2019 drive.
• 11:45 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, is the deadline to approve time for Dec. 24 paychecks. • 11:45 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, is the deadline to approve time for Dec. 31 paychecks. • 11:45 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, is the deadline to approve time to be included in 2020 reporting. • 11:20 a.m. Monday, Jan. 4, is the deadline to approve time for Jan. 8 paychecks. The satellite Payroll Office in Bldg. 520-1 will close for the year at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18. The last run for off-cycle checks for 2020 will be Wednesday, Dec. 16, for salaried employees and Friday, Dec. 18, for hourly employees. As a reminder, employees can still flex during the Dec. 21-Jan. 4 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. Call-in, late notifications and changes for vacation will not be accepted. Contact the Payroll Office (Dept. O95) with any questions.
New Performance Management Tool Effective with the 2021 Performance and Development Agreements (PDA), Newport News Shipbuilding is implementing an enhancement to the current performance management process in MyHR called Continuous Performance Management (CPM) on Jan. 1. This tool will not replace or change the current performance agreement form. CPM is an easy-to-use computer and mobile-friendly tool that provides many benefits. It will promote ongoing electronic communication between managers and employees, and it will allow date-stamped activities to be linked to performance goals. Features will help ease the mid-year and year-end performance management processes. The three main components of using CPM are activities, achievements and feedback. Managers and employees are not required to use CPM; however, it is strongly encouraged. To learn more about CPM, Human Resources and Administration is hosting 30-minute lunch and learn training sessions via WebEx. No charge will be provided. All salaried NNS employees are invited to sign up for a session at noon on the dates listed below. Shipbuilders who are unable to attend a training session can review CPM user guides and videos on the performance management webpage. • Jan. 13
• Feb. 16
• Jan. 25
• March 12
Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Cases reported last week: 93
Total cases at NNS: 1,326
Total number of NNS employees medically cleared to return to work: 848
See case details at nns.huntingtoningalls.com/411.
In past years, shipbuilders had the option to give online or to donate tangible goods in collection boxes across the shipyard. However, the drive was held entirely virtual this year in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The pandemic also has greatly increased demand for assistance from the Foodbank. The Columbia-Class Submarine Program developed a unique way to support the virtual food drive. A Columbia-class submarine will be home to 155 sailors. The program created a goal of providing 465 meals during the drive, which would equal three meals for 155 sailors. The program ended up providing more than 5,700 meals – or enough for three meals for sailors on 12.3 Columbia-class submarines. Visit the Columbia-class website on MyNNS to learn more about the program’s donation.
Holiday Fire Safety Reminder According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), U.S. fire departments respond to over 200 fires in the home involving Christmas trees. In a video available on MyNNS, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) demonstrates what could happen if a fire starts in a watered Christmas tree or a dry Christmas tree. Even though these fires do not happen very often, they can be deadly and costly. According to NIST, Christmas tree fires result in an annual average of six civilian deaths, 16 civilian injuries and $16.2 million in property damage. If a fire does develop in a watered Christmas tree, it may allow more time to react, extinguish, escape and notify the fire department if necessary; this can reduce injuries, as well as damage done by a fire.
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12 | 14 | 2020
DATEBOOK THROUGH DECEMBER 18
Newport News Shipbuilding’s Engagement Office is hosting the final virtual Enable Our Workforce expo of the year. Themed “Shipbuilder University,” the expo allows shipbuilders to explore NNS’ footprint and see how each division impacts the overall business. To participate or to find more information, visit the Engagement website on MyNNS.
DECEMBER 17
Join FitNNS for a virtual event titled “Power of the Past, Force for the Future” from 4:30 until 5:30 p.m. Guests will include HII Corporate Vice President of Compensation and Benefits Karen Velkey, Engineering Manager Oliver Aguilar, Foreman Jerry Bulles, Benefits Manager Amy Iveson and FitNNS Chair Cailee Helmick. Share how 2020 has impacted you and how you are creating a fresh start for 2021. This event is open to all employees. All participants who attend will have a chance to win mentoring time with a company leader. Register on MyNNS.
DECEMBER 18
Join the Hispanic Outreach and Leadership Alliance (HOLA) via WebEx from noon until 1 p.m. for the next installment of the Hispanic Americans Lecture Series – “Celebrating the Holidays in Hispanic America.” This is a lunch event, and no charge will be provided. The WebEx meeting ID is 995 982 059. This event is open to all NNS employees. For more information, contact Miguel Novo (E85) via email.
WiSE Members Provide Gifts for Local Children Women in Shipbuilding Enterprise (WiSE) members and Newport News Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) employees teamed up for the annual Secret Santa project to provide toys, books and clothes for 55 children. CASA employees work with children who have been abused and neglected and are under the court’s supervision throughout the year.
NNS to Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day Virtually
DECEMBER 23- JANUARY 1
Newport News Shipbuilding’s Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Council will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with the release of a video on Friday, Jan. 15, instead of a traditional in-person celebration.
JANUARY BLOOD DRIVES
The celebration is themed “Together Strong – Life Unites.” In the words of King, “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.”
Newport News Shipbuilding’s holiday shutdown begins Wednesday, Dec. 23 and continues through Jan. 1. Due to the nature of shipyard operations, some employees (who will be notified by their managers) are required to report during shutdown. For more information about shutdown and options for PTO, annual leave or docking, see the Distribution A.
Newport News Shipbuilding is hosting blood drives from 7:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 5 and 28 in Bldg. 520-6 (James River Room). COVID-19 antibody testing also is offered. A time charge will be provided for donors. To schedule an appointment, contact Natasha Eck, Sunny Lee or Christina Charnock.
NNS SAFETY REPORT
The Diversity and Inclusion Office will provide a link to the video for every shipbuilder via MyNNS and the NNS to Go app. Shipbuilders can also participate in a virtual event from 4:30 until 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 11, titled “Together Strong – Life Unites, unpacking fear, relationships and communication.” Look for more information about how to sign up for the virtual event in upcoming editions of Currents. For additional information, contact the Diversity and Inclusion Office at DiversityandInclusion@hii-nns.com.
SEEKING SHIPBUILDERS
Visit www.buildyourcareer.com to search for the latest NNS job openings.
Compared to figures from November 2019 Job Title Year-to-Date Injuries
1,146 (up 0%) Year-to-Date Injuries with Days Away, Restricted or Transferred
819 (up 8%) Safety Improvements
2,325 (10% above goal)
Req Number
Computer Systems Security Analyst 2 792 Designer 3 977 Designer 4 2692 Engineer Lead Test 2 – Work Control REC Team 1514 Engineer Lead Test 3 – Senior Work Control REC Team 1515 Engineer Mechanical 3 – Acoustic 3791 Engineer Planning Analyst 3 3789 Metrology Technician 3 3797 Production Controller 3 3196 Property Control Support 3 4091
Dept.
Location
E44 E83 E70 E25 E25 E46 E41 O68 K46 E86
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.