3.11.03

This is George Price, APFA National Communications Coordinator, with a special APFA Hotline Update for Tuesday, March 11, 2003.

The Annual Convention of the APFA Board of Directors, which began on Friday, March 7 in the D/FW area, adjourned today. During the course of the meeting, the board approved the APFA Budget for the next fiscal year, appointed JFK Flight Attendant Ted Bedwell as Ad Hoc member of the Executive Committee Place #5, and conducted a wide range of new business. The main focus of the meeting throughout the five days was the state of affairs at American and the company’s request for relief.

On Monday, AMR CEO Don Carty and members of senior management addressed the board, members of the negotiating committee, and other APFA Representatives. Mr. Carty updated the board on the status of American’s financial condition. Mr. Carty also fielded questions from the various Representatives. Later in the day, APA President John Darrah and Vice President Bob Ames, as well as, TWU Vice President Jim Little and other TWU Representatives gave presentations to the APFA Board on the status of talks between their unions and American.

After lengthy discussions with members of the negotiating team and our advisors and after a thorough review of American’s finances, the APFA Board passed Resolution #2 which directs the APFA Negotiating Committee and our advisors to take whatever actions are deemed necessary to reach a consensual agreement with the company that will help the carrier avoid bankruptcy.

There are tough choices to be made in the weeks ahead. APFA continued the membership education process this week by sending out a booklet to all Flight Attendants on the effects of a possible bankruptcy on our pension, a mailer on what APFA has done and will do in the near future, and the February Skyword that addresses many of the issues revolving around the company’s request for relief. The February Skyword is now on-line as is the booklet, which can be found on the “Hot Topics” page of the APFA Web site. More information will be provided to the membership as the process moves ahead.

The APFA Board reiterated the importance of a continued working relationship with APA and TWU. The various unions at AMR have been working together for some time through the exchange of information and strategies, joint training, and lobby efforts. The Board made it clear that these relationships are important to each of the unions and to the viability of American Airlines.

The Coalition of Unions at AMR will be conducting informational leafleting at major airports on Wednesday, March 12, 2003. The purpose of this event is to heighten public awareness that the ailing airline industry must be provided immediate relief by Congress from taxes and fees and the cost of security enhancements. APFA encourages all members to join the members of the other unions in this coalition event. The times and meeting locations for each airport can be found on the opening page of the APFA Web site under “AMR Union Coalition Event.”

That is it for this special edition of the APFA Hotline. Please call the hotline on Friday and visit the APFA Web site for the latest information. Please stay on the line for results of the APFA base elections.

This is Linda Herod-Rivas, Chair of the APFA National Ballot Committee.

Today, March 11, 2003, the National Ballot Committee certified the results of the Base Representative Election.

The results are as follows:

At Boston International for Chairperson, Jennifer McCauley received 118 votes and Michael Medeiros received 102 votes. For Vice Chairperson, Wendy Anderson received 101 votes and Eugenio Vargas 118 votes. Jennifer McCauley and Eugenio Vargas are the new Chair and Vice Chair for Boston International.

At Dallas/Fort Worth International for Chairperson, Martha O’Rourke received 247 votes and Steve Watson 620 votes. For Vice Chairperson, Susan French received 246 votes, Bob Walker 512 votes and Chris Willson 112 votes. Steve Watson and Bob Walker are the newly elected Chair and Vice Chair for Dallas/Fort Worth International.

At Los Angeles Domestic for Chairperson, Tony Leonhardt received 176 votes, John Nikides 588 votes. For Vice Chairperson, Cheryl K. Gisondo received 231 votes, Kristin McCullor 519 votes and Joseph Robinson received 9 votes. John Nikides and Kristin McCullor are the newly elected Chair and Vice Chair for Los Angeles Domestic.

At Miami International for Vice Chairperson, Marcus Gluth received 317 votes and Rick Musica received 368 votes. Rick Musica is the newly elected Vice Chairperson for Miami International.

As a reminder, the Chicago International ballots are due at 9:00 AM Central Time on March 18, 2003. They will be counted immediately following the pick-up at the Holiday Inn in Bedford, Texas. Any member in good standing is welcome to attend and view the counting of these ballots. These newly elected representatives will assume office April 1, 2003, for a two-year term. Thank you very much for calling the APFA Hotline.