4.27.01 – (LAA) – DC Fly-In to Address Government Interference in Negotiations, ALPA Reach Tentative Agreement, Executive Salary

This is Leslie Mayo, National Communications Coordinator, with more APFA HotLine news for the week ending April 27, 2001.

It’s time to heat things up on capitol hill. We are taking the next step to ensure our goal of obtaining the contract we deserve is met. Tuesday, May 22nd will be an official “DC Fly-In” for any dues-current APFA member. We will be meeting at the American Federation of Teachers building, 9th floor conference room at 555 New Jersey Avenue in Washington, D.C. The telephone number is 202.879.4400. Please go to www.www.apfa.org for a map.

The objective is to let our elected officials know how we feel about government interference in our negotiations. We want to settle our dispute at the bargaining table and we want the Company to rely on good-faith bargaining rather than politics.

You will be responsible for your own travel into Washington. We will send groups of 4-5 flight attendants to each appointment. APFA will conduct briefings for all flight attendants prior to heading off to your appointments with Congress. You will be armed with a packet which will contain the following:

1) map to your appointment;
2) hints on how to address your congressperson;
3) talking points to cover with your congressperson;
4) literature explaining “our story”; and,
5) a debrief form.

We will meet back on the east steps of the Capitol at 1500 for a rally.

Contact the APFA Membership Action voice mail at extension 8743 by Tuesday, May 8, 2001 to pledge your commitment to join us on Capitol Hill. We will need your name, employee number, phone number and state of residence so that an appointment can be arranged for you and your group. We look forward to seeing you there and letting Congress know that we are determined in our fight for the contract we deserve.

In Labor News: Delta’s Pilots, represented by ALPA, have reached a tentative agreement pending ratification by both their board and their membership. The contract contains pay increases of 24%-34% which would make them the highest paid pilots in the industry – one percent above United’s pilots’ pay. Following the recent T/A reached between Northwest and their mechanics it looks like we’re up to bat. Let’s see if Mr. Carty can accomplish what the other two CEOs have in finally providing substance in their negotiations and giving us the contract we deserve.

Speaking of getting what we want, looks like Don really stepped up to the plate and gave himself the raise he believes he deserves. His yearly salary went up about $13,000 annually to $772,500 on top of the fact that he received a $1.4 million bonus and $1.9 million in long-term incentive payments in 2000. This brings his total income for the year 2000 to a grand total of $9.6 million. That’s the salary of 613 new hires for an entire year! Looks like you’ve got your piece of the pie, Don, now it’s our turn.

That’s it for this week, be sure to wear only your Union Pin, Wings and Nametag on your uniform and don’t forget to wear your Union Pin at all Company training events. Thank you for calling the APFA HotLine.