12.13.07 – (LAA) – WTS Apps for IOR VC, Skyword

This is Tommie Hutto-Blake, APFA President, with a Special Hotline Update for Thursday, December 13, 2007.

Today, we are pleased to announce that AA will be forwarding recall notices to 247 APFA-represented Flight Attendants next week. This is great news for our members who have been on furlough for over four years as well as our active members who can look forward to additional relief on the line early next year. As a reminder, this is the 7th recall round since 2003.

The Flight Attendants offered recall will be the 247 most senior furloughed Flight Attendants on the recall list as of the close of business (5:00PM) Central Time on Monday, December 17, 2007. This allows time for any potential recalled member who may decide not to return to active flight status to act prior to the printing of the finalized recall list. Official notice to the 247 Flight Attendants being offered recall will be mailed by AA on Thursday, December 20. Due to the holiday period, Flight Attendants offered recall will have until Friday, January 4th, 2008 to return their acceptance notice via the provided FedEx envelope. This notice must be received by the Company no later than Monday, January 7th, 2008, but again postmarked by January 4th. Flight Attendants offered recall will return to the line on March 25, 2008. Four training classes will be available beginning on Monday, February 4, 2008, and each Monday thereafter in February. Although final base availability has not yet been finalized, it is anticipated that recalled FAs will be based at either BOS, DCA, or LGA.

Full details along with Questions and Answers related to the March 25, 2008 recall will be available by the end of next week.

This is Leslie Mayo, APFA National Communications Coordinator, with the APFA Hotline for Sunday, December 9, 2007.

From the NBC: Willingness to Serve applications for the position of IOR Vice Chair are due in the designated PO Box on December 27, 2007. All IOR-based Flight Attendants should have received this notification. If more than one member in good standing submits a WTS, an election will take place and ballots will be mailed on January 10, 2008. IOR Vice Chair ballots will be counted on February 8, 2008.

Ballots have been mailed to all STL-based FAs for the position of STL Vice Chair and are due in the designated PO Box on December 28, 2007. The term of office is effective on that day through March 31, 2007.

Ballots for the four National Officer positions will be mailed to all members on December 19, 2007, and are due in the designated PO Box the morning of January 17, 2008. Casting your ballot for the candidates of your choice is a privilege that comes with union membership. If you are not a member in good standing or are not sure if your dues are up-to-date as a result of a recent Leave of Absence, etc., please email [email protected] to confirm your membership status. Everyone is sent a ballot, however, only member-in-good-standing ballots are counted. Do not let this opportunity to choose your next leaders pass you by.

The Communications Department is asking those of you who have saved your Skywords over the years to look in your collection and see if you have any of the following issues: May 1991, May/June 1995, July 1997, and any Skywords from 1986 through 1988. If you have any or even all of these issues and are willing to donate them, please send them to APFA Headquarters at 1004 W. Euless Blvd. Euless, TX  76040, ATTN: Communications. You can also drop them off in the APFA Lockbox in Flight Attendant Operations. APFA’s history and its records are imperative for the Team’s negotiations preparation, and having access to all available resources will be essential when we exchange Openers with AA in the spring.

The end of the year is drawing close and with that comes VF Solutions cut-off date for 2007 uniform orders with any remaining points you don’t want to let slip away. VF Solutions will be open regularly during holiday hours on Monday, December 24 from 8am to 2pm Central Time, and Monday, December 31 from 8am to 2pm Central Time as well. The Website is available from 2am to midnight 7 days a week. Do not forget to click the submit button and save your confirmation number in case you have questions about your order.

Rumor Control:  Lots of rumors swirling around right now:

Q: I heard four flight attendants were fired last week in London. What happened?

A:  Several crewmembers were caught in the middle of a customs bag search in London. Until these investigations have concluded, it is important that all Flight Attendants refrain from speculating or forwarding messages about this incident. This is for the privacy of those FAs involved. Rumors only serve to exacerbate the situation. If, at a future date APFA needs to call in the unity of APFA members on this matter you will be noticed.  For now we ask that you put yourself in these members shoes and let their representation process be focused on just that – a thorough APFA defense based strictly on the facts and circumstances of their situation. APFA must remind all Flight Attendants of the importance of declaring everything you transport through Customs on each and every customs entrance. It is also imperative that you DO NOT transport any in-flight items in your bag from one flight to the next in anticipation of ensuring your passengers have everything they need for your next flight. This could put your job at jeopardy.

Q: I received a text message regarding the installation of cameras in the F/C galley of two 767 aircraft. What’s the deal?!

A: APFA contacted Flight Service, In Flight Products, Maintenance and Engineering and Corporate and Crew Security. Each of these AA Departments have verified that no cameras have been installed or are in the works to be installed on any AA aircraft.

Q: How will Russian speakers be secured for future flights to Moscow? Will AA pull from our furlough list or hire new FAs who speak Russian?

A: The company cannot recall furloughed FAs out of seniority order regardless of language qualifications. AA is also prohibited from hiring any Flight Attendants – speakers or non-speakers – while we still have furloughs in place. Russian speakers would come from the current ranks.

Q: Does AA receive a kickback from the money we voluntarily collect on International flights for UNICEF’s Champions for Children?

A: In researching this rumor APFA went straight to the Champions for Children/Airline Ambassadors support committee – run by line FAs. We were assured that all money collected by Flight Attendants on board goes directly to UNICEF.

In Industry News: It appears as though Teamsters (IBT) has caused a certification election with the mechanics at UAL currently represented by AMFA. The Teamsters intend to sent out their ballots within the next six weeks.

That’s it for this week. We still have 1,453 furloughed APFA members waiting to be recalled.

Thank you for calling the APFA Hotline.