2.06.04 – (LAA) – Terminations for Calling in Sick

Hello. This is Liz Geiss, DFW InfoRep Captain, with the APFA Hotline for Friday, February 6th, 2004.

Many Flight Attendants have contacted the APFA regarding a rumor that approximately 400 Flight Attendants have been terminated for calling in sick during the holidays. While there is no truth to the number of Flight Attendants terminated, APFA is aware that the Company launched a number of investigations into Flight Attendants and other employees that allegedly used their travel privileges while on the sick list. These investigations have resulted in several-not 400-terminations. If you have been contact by the Company regarding this issue, please contact your Base Chairperson or Vice Chairperson for representation immediately.

The APFA is also aware that some Flight Attendants were placed on Medical Certificate for calling in sick during the holiday season. Most of these issues have already been resolved, however, if you have recently been placed on medical certificate, please contact your local base representative.

On the issue of reduced rest layovers, we hear you loud and clear. Flight Attendants are sick AND tired! Therefore, we need your help in gathering documentation. The Health Department is asking all Flight Attendants to complete the survey regarding workplace fatigue posted on the APFA Web site. The survey, which is being conducted by the University of Denver in cooperation with the APFA, will allow us to compare the fatigue level of Flight Attendants with other work groups governed by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The information collected will also be useful to the APFA when speaking with the FAA about reduced layover rest. Please take a moment to complete this survey AND the Reduced Rest Layover Survey, which can be found on the opening page of the APFA web site at www.www.apfa.org. I know it seems like a slow process, but I assure you, your APFA Representatives are continuingly working on this issue.

There has been some question as to why there is a run off election for the APFA National Officers. Per the APFA Constitution, in a balloting for National Officer, a candidate must receive a majority (at least 50% + 1) of the votes to be deemed elected for that Office. Since no one candidate for any Office received that amount, there will be a run off between the two candidates for each National Officer position that received the highest number of votes. Ballots for the APFA National Officer run off election will be mailed to all members on February 9, 2004. They are due in the post office box no later than 0900 Central Time on March 10, 2004. A detailed breakdown of the initial election results has been posted on the APFA Web site. If you have recently moved, please ensure that your address is current with the APFA Membership Department. They can be contacted by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 1-800-395-2732, Extension 8153. The National Ballot Committee would like to stress the importance of following the ballot instructions carefully when completing your ballot. Please be sure to use a #2 pencil when marking your ballot. Use of other writing utensils to mark your ballot creates a delay in the ballot counting process. In the initial election, only 50 percent of the eligible members actually cast ballots. All members are encouraged to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming run-off election. Your vote is your voice.

In Washington D.C. this week, Democratic Members of the House and Senate continued working on obtaining an extension to the unemployment benefits insurance, while Republican leadership in both houses remained opposed. Consequently, it is highly unlikely that this provision will remain in the bill when it goes to the President for signing. It is imperative that our members act quickly. We want to urge you all to send e-mails in support of this bill by going to the Government Affairs page of the APFA Web site and then clicking “Capwiz,” which is APFA’s Internet legislative service. Click on the bill number and then “Take Action Now” and follow the directions to send your e-mail asking for the support of your Representative and Senators. Remember, nearly 90,000 laid off workers would benefit from this extension. The time to act is NOW.

Attention Furloughed Flight Attendants: American Eagle has immediate Flight Attendant openings. There will be an open house in ORD on February 6th at 7:00 p.m., and February 7th at 10:00 a.m. at the following location:

Ramada Plaza Hotel O’Hare Airport
6600 Mannheim Road
Rosemont, IL 60018
Phone – 847-827-5131 (for detailed directions)

For more detailed information, please go to the opening page of the APFA web site and click on “American Eagle Career Fair-ORD”.

Flight Attendants from American and United will sponsor “The Heart Ball” on Valentine’s Day in New York City. The proceeds from this event will be equally divided between WINGS and C.A.U.S.E to assist Flight Attendants in need. More information regarding The Heart Ball can be found under “February 14th” on the APFA Calendar of Events on the APFA Web site.

The following are some important deadlines to remember:

— Bidding for Personal Leave of Absence (PLOA) will open on February 5th, 2004 and close on February 23rd, 2004 at 0800 CST.

APFA encourages all members get the facts through calling this hotline, visiting the APFA Web site, reading Skyword, reviewing the APFA Constitution and Policy Manual, or calling an APFA Representative. Always question the source of information you feel is questionable. APFA has added a rumor control page to the web site to help provide factual information and deal with misinformation. If you have information that you want addressed on the Rumor Control page, please e-mail it to [email protected].

That’s it for this edition of the APFA hotline. Please visit the web site at www.www.apfa.org for more information.

Thanks for calling.