March 24, 2020 – A Coronavirus Update from Kevin Graney

You are currently viewing March 24, 2020 – A Coronavirus Update from Kevin Graney

Hello Team. I am taking this opportunity to speak with you directly regarding the COVID-19 virus that is disrupting our lives in a way none of us has experienced before. I want to share my priorities for you and for our business. Those priorities are to keep everyone who works at or supports Electric Boat safe and healthy, while we meet our obligation to continue our work as an essential part of our nation’s defense.

Additionally, I want to thank each of you for your continued flexibility and patience as we work to understand how to cope with this disease and develop strategies to support your safety and our continued operations. As you know, the White House, the Department of Defense, and our state government has determined we must continue to operate during this challenging time.

As we’ve learned about the threat COVID-19 poses, we have adapted to control its spread by limiting non-essential services like the gymnasium and curtailing some cafeteria services, we’ve reduced or nearly eliminated travel, curtailed training, encouraged virtual meetings and reduced meeting size. We’ve also enabled telecommuting or working from home to the maximum extent practical and we are looking to further expand that capability. We also continue increased cleaning throughout our facilities.

We’ve also adjusted our policies to allow each member of our team maximum flexibility for taking time off to take care of themselves and their families. I appreciate the support we’ve gotten from our Union Leadership to enable this important adjustment.

Today the New London facility began operating on two shifts to decrease density in that building: first shift is working from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.; second shift is working from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. I visited Quonset Point and our New London facilities today to see for myself how we are adapting. Overall, I saw my co-workers doing what already makes EB a special place, adjusting to what I consider to be our new normal with as positive an attitude as possible given these uncertain times. Thank you for your cooperation.

We continue to evolve how we’re working in the Groton shipyard and at Quonset Point to ensure people maintain safe distances from each other whenever possible. And we continue to encourage members of the leadership team to optimize remote work arrangements with their teams where practical.

Today, I can report that there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at EB. Where people have been suspected of being infected, or present higher risk of exposure, we’ve taken decisive action to quarantine and monitor employees.

While it is challenging to focus on day-to-day business operations, I do have positive news to share. I was fortunate to ride PCU Vermont SSN 792 during Alpha trials last week and the ship performed exceptionally well. You should be proud of your great work. Bravo trials are currently underway and are going well. We all look forward to her soon returning later this week and get ready to deliver her to the Navy on April 18.

I will continue to keep you updated regularly so you can rely on facts, not hear-say or the shipyard rumor mill. We are communicating using email, Homeport, posted hardcopies and EB Landing. If you have not been able to see my messages, please go to EB Landing on your smart phone, personal tablet or home computer at www.eblanding.com for links to all communications. (For the video of this message, please see www.eblanding.com on your personal device.) If I am missing something you are concerned about, please bubble those concerns up so we can try to address those issues.

Finally, please take time each day to ask yourself the following questions:

• Have you had close personal contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19?
• Are you experiencing any symptoms? Fever? Chills? Cough? Sore throat? Shortness of breath? Body aches?

If you answer YES to any of the above questions, please get the proper care, stay home to protect your teammates and your community, and contact your supervisor.

Thank you for all you do and please stay healthy and safe!

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