5.10.04

Hello everyone. This is Michael Truan, DFW InfoRep Captain, with the APFA InfoRep Hotline for Monday, May 10, 2004.

The APFA Board of Directors met in special session the week of May 3rd in the DFW area. During the meeting, the Board approved balloting the APFA membership on numerous changes to the APFA Constitution. In the coming weeks, a full explanation of the changes will be provided to the membership through mailers, the hotline, and the web site. It is anticipated that the ratification ballot will be mailed in the next few weeks. Remember, any change to the APFA Constitution requires a majority vote of eligible members casting ballots to be adopted.

Another very important issue that was addressed by the Board was that of a dues decrease. The Board also passed resolution #3. This resolution states that "as soon as administratively possible, through April 30, 2006, APFA voluntarily waives collection of $3.00 per month in required dues payments so that required monthly dues payment will be $38 per month." The resolution continues by stating that "effective May 1, 2006, the full regular monthly dues requirement of $41 per month will be reinstated." APFA has the ability to open contract negotiations with American Airlines early in May 2006. The minutes of the Board meeting and all resolutions considered by the Board will be posted on the APFA Web site under "EC/BOD Meetings" once they have been prepared by the Secretary’s Office. We encourage all InfoReps to review the documents from each Board of Directors and Executive Committee Meeting. Make copies and take them along with you on your trips to share with other APFA members.

Well over 2,000 APFA members both active and furloughed completed the TSA letter, which was sent to all Flight Attendants and posted on the APFA Web site. This letter calls for the TSA to review the current safety and security training for Flight Attendants and to ensure that such training meets the criteria Congress supported in the Homeland Security Act and the Vision 100 FAA Reauthorization. Letters from the APFA membership will be added to those collected from Flight Attendants from other airlines and presented to the TSA in Washington, D.C. on May 12th. Thanks to everyone who took the time to complete these letters. As we have said, with your help our efforts in Washington are paying off!

The APFA has been working with members of Congress to promote legislation that would extend Unemployment Insurance Benefits for laid-off workers. A vote on an amendment that would extend benefits for an additional 13 weeks is expected in the Senate this week. All furloughed Flight Attendants should take the time to contact their senators and urge their support of this amendment. You can do so using Capwiz on the Government Affairs page of the APFA Web site.

Flight Attendants at American Eagle have been negotiating with AMR for a new contract for several years now. In an effort to heighten public awareness of their ongoing negotiations and their current working conditions, AMR American Eagle Flight Attendants will conduct informational picketing at Terminal B at the DFW International Airport on Friday, May 28th. The picketing will take place between the hours of 1300 and 1600. APFA members are encouraged to join our fellow Flight Attendants at this picketing event.

The Rumor Mill is alive and well on the line. The APFA covered two of the most prevalent rumors last week on the APFA Hotline. They are so rampant, that they bear repeating on the InfoRep Hotline.

Is there any truth to the rumor American will be recalling furloughed Flight Attendants in July? No. American has made it clear to the APFA that they have no plans to recall Flight Attendants in 2004. Nearly 1,300 Flight Attendant currently on Overage Leave of Absence, not furlough, will return to active status on July 1.

Why are Pilots at American being provided with a restoration of some of the compensation they gave up as part of their Restructuring Agreement and Flight Attendants are not? American Pilots gave up a larger amount of their actual compensation as part of their Restructuring Agreement due to the fact that certain other concessions could not be implemented immediately. Since all concessions agreed to by the Pilots have now been implemented and are generating cost savings, a percentage of their compensation originally used to cover those cost savings is being restored.

If American is awarded Honolulu-Tokyo, do they plan to re-open a crew base in Honolulu? American has made no decisions on just what base will fly Honolulu-Tokyo if the airline is awarded the route.

The Annual AMR Stockholders Meeting will be held at Flagship University on May 19th. All AMR Stockholders are eligible to attend this meeting. The meeting is restricted to individuals who own AMR stock outright. Having stock options only does not make you eligible to attend the stockholders meeting.

Thanks for calling the InfoRep Hotline. Please visit the web site frequently and call or access the text of the APFA Hotline each week to stay informed on the latest APFA news.