8.11.03 – (LAA) – AA Announces No Additional Furloughs in Fall, STL FAs Return to Crew Bases They Were Assigned, Order of Open time in STL, LAX, MIA, TWA-LLC Injunction Ruling

 

Today is Monday, August 11, 2003. This is George Price, APFA Communications Coordinator with an APFA Hotline Update.

The Company has notified the APFA that there will be no additional furloughs in the fall. The Company said that due to “attrition and some other factors,” the Company’s forecast did not suggest furloughs would be necessary during the fall timeframe. It is anticipated that some bid leaves will be available in October and November.

The Company also announced that it would allow an additional 90 Flight Attendants currently based in STL to return to the crew bases they were assigned prior to being forced to STL. This includes 50 Flight Attendants to DFW, 20 to LAX, and 20 to Miami. STL Flight Attendants who would like to exercise their reinstatement rights to these bases must submit their web ballot found on the STL page of the Flight Service Web site no later than 0800 Central Daylight Time on Monday, August 18, 2003. If you are one of the Flight Attendants forced to STL from DFW, LAX, or MIA, you should submit your ballot. If awards reach your seniority and you fail to respond, you may forfeit your reinstatement rights. Those awarded reinstatement will return to their bases effective September 8, 2003.

In accordance with a Letter of Understanding between the APFA and American dated July 31, 2003, any Flight Attendant, whether active or inactive, who was involuntarily forced to STL and has reinstatement rights to their original base may bid to return to that base.

From the Scheduling Department: Crew schedule has notified the APFA that they are up to Step 9 in the order of open time in STL, LAX, and MIA. Flight Attendants should be familiar with these steps, which are found on in Article 9 pages 118-119 and Appendix I.9 pages 481-482 of the contract. The Company plans to increase reserve lists for the month of September.

A great deal of information regarding reduced rest, monthly maximums and rescheduling, the order of open time, obligations on available days, and monthly limitations and guarantees has been posted on the opening page of the APFA Web site and the Scheduling Page. Flight Attendants should access this helpful information and make a copy to carry with them. If you have questions, please contact the APFA Scheduling Desk at 1-800-395-2732, extension 8161.

From the APFA Safety Department: A series of HI6 messages were sent to all Flight Attendants by the joint Security Committee composed of American, APFA, and APA. Flight Attendants are urged to read each of these HI6 messages for important safety and security information. In addition, the APFA Safety Department encourages all Flight Attendants to read the latest security information on the SSI Web site accessible through the Flight Service Web site. This information in updated frequently.

APFA InfoReps were recently sent a packet of information regarding the TWA-LLC injunction ruling, Board of Directors resolutions regarding budget cuts and actions to be taken on the reduced rest, an explanation of the 2003 LM-2 report filed by the APFA with the Department of Labor, and a comparison of the AAL/UAL contract. They have been asked to carry this information with them in order to provide the FACTS to their flying partners. Although most of this information is available on the APFA Web site, in Skyword, and on the hotline, it was felt each InfoRep should be given a copy in order to help disseminate the information to the membership.

An election for Operation Council Representatives will be held in Boston domestic. Ballots will be mailed to Boston based Flight Attendants on August 27th and must be returned no later than 1000 Central Daylight Time on September 26th.