6.08.01 – (LAA) – Contract Negotiations Resume Between APFA and the Company, Strike Manuals Being Mailed Out

Negotiations Hotline

This is APFA President John Ward with a negotiations update. Today is Friday, June 08, 2001, day #8 of the 30-day cooling off period.

Contract negotiations between APFA and the Company resumed on Tuesday of this week in Washington, D.C. at the offices of the National Mediation Board. Our talks this week focused on compensation. Unfortunately, the Company is still unwilling to provide us with the wage increases we need and deserve. As a result, the talks were adjourned this evening. The parties will meet again, however, on June 20 in Washington.

Thanks for your continued support. This hotline will be updated next Friday, or sooner if events warrant. Please stay on the line for the remainder of this week’s hotline.

This is Leslie Mayo, National Communications Coordinator, with more APFA HotLine news for Friday, June 8, 2001.

Strike Manuals will be hitting flight attendants’ homes system-wide and for those of you who can’t wait for one to land in your mailbox, check the web site to preview a copy. This manual should answer all of your questions about what to expect and what to do in the event we are forced to strike. The Strike Preparedness Committee, also known as the InfoRep Coordinators, have worked tirelessly to get this information to you.

Sue’s mailbox is filling up with big white envelopes marked ” REFUSED – RETURN TO SENDER” after American’s latest attempt to bargain directly with the membership. In case you’ve misplaced her address and one or more of your AA propaganda didn’t include ANY return address, please send it to:

Sue Oliver
Senior VP Human Resources
AA, Inc.
PO Box 619616
MD 5604
DFW Airport, TX 75261-9616

AA’s numbers are very confusing, and are meant to be that way in order to keep you guessing. Well, it’s not working, and APFA has sent out their response to the Company’s spin on things which you should receive at home shortly, if you haven’t already. APFA’s response is also available on the web site at www.www.apfa.org.

Check the web site for the just-announced Hit and Run Picketing Events. We have scheduled these events for Washington, D.C. and Dallas/Ft. Worth the week of June 11. These events will draw attention to the fact that we are getting closer and closer to a strike as long as Don and Sue continue to rely on the government to handle their labor problems.

As a reminder, it is crucial that we have all members’ phone numbers and addresses on file. If you have not received a telephone call from an APFA PhoneTree volunteer within the last month, we may not have your correct phone number on file at APFA Headquarters. There are still a few kinks to work out as far as each member receiving a call from an APFA volunteer, so if you have recently updated your information and have still not received a call, please be patient. To be sure your correct number is in our records, please go to the web site at www.www.apfa.org and click on PhoneTree. Locate your area code and follow the instructions from there. AA does not share their database with APFA so don’t assume that because AA has it, we have it. You can also fill out the change of address card found in Skyword, or call APFA at 800.395.2732, ext. 8724 to leave a message for Kip Fry.

We are always looking for PhoneWatch volunteers to man the phones at APFA Headquarters. PhoneWatch hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for any flight attendant who has questions about negotiations. If you are interested, please call PhoneWatch at 866.ASK.APFA.

As a reminder, APFA Headquarters has an 800 number for all callers outside of our area, however, if you are in the DFW Metro area please remember to use our local number: 817.540.0108.

We are in need of more human interest stories for our media campaign. If you, or someone you know, has been the victim of air rage, or something related to your job above and beyond the call of duty, please call Lori Bassani, ext. 8208 at APFA HDQ and leave her details along with your contact number.

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.

Your bagtag should read “Time’s Up!”. Thank you for your support, stay informed, and thank you for calling the APFA HotLine.