2.17.08 – (LAA) – National Officer Run-Off Election, Denise Hedges

This is Leslie Mayo, National Communications Coordinator, with the APFA Hotline for Sunday, February 17, 2008.

Ballots for the National Officer Run-Off Election are due in the designated PO Box on Tuesday, February 26, 2008. If you have not received your ballot or have misplaced your ballot, please contact the National Ballot Committee immediately to request a duplicate ballot. If both the duplicate and original ballots of any member are received by the NBC, only the duplicate will be counted. You can email [email protected] and include your full name, address, employee number and base for a ballot, or leave a voicemail at APFA Headquarters at 817.540.0108, extension 8311. If you have not taken the time to watch the debate between the two candidates for President, you can go to www.www.apfa.org and click on the link on the front page that will direct you to the video. You must be a member in good standing to login to the Web site and view the video. If you are having difficulties logging on and have clicked on the help links, please send an email to [email protected] with your full name, employee number and updated email address. Provided you are a member in good standing, a password wlll be provided for you to sign in.

Yesterday, the Board of Directors concluded their annual Convention, which began February 13th. The budget for FYE 2009 was passed and the Board elected two Ad Hocs to serve on the Executive Committee for a three-year term beginning April 1, 2008. Lenny Aurigemma (BOS-I) was elected to Place 1 and Marcus Gluth (IMA) was elected to Place 2 of the Executive Committee. APFA would like to thank Steve Watson (IDF) for his many years of service to APFA most recently serving a three-year term as Ad Hoc.

Denise Hedges received the Martha W. Griffiths award – APFA’s highest honor – and Lynda Richardson received the APFA Distinguished Service Award. Laura Flanders, host of Radio Nation Broadcast on Air America Radio was the guest speaker for the Annual Awards Banquet, which is funded by vendor donations and APFA Representatives to offset any costs incurred, and did an excellent job of reminding the APFA leadership and guests that big change rarely happens over night but that it is gradual and we must never give up in our pursuit of what we deserve.

Jeff Pharr, APFA Negotiator and MIA Vice Chair was appointed to the position of InfoRep Coordinator. If you are interested in becoming an InfoRep in preparation for this next round of bargaining, send an email to [email protected]. All members are encouraged to get involved in this invaluable program whose purpose is to disseminate timely and factual information. This program was invaluable during our last two contracts and will no doubt prove to be an incredibly useful tool for our members and our leadership to communicate quickly and confidentially.

The minutes of the Annual Convention will be available online within the timeframe outlined in the Policy Manual. Finally, APFA would like to extend a special thank you to Jim Highfill, the owner of JMH printing who donated his services to print our Convention booklet and does so every year. Jim has been an Honorary APFA member for many years and has always been there to be sure we get what we need in a timely manner.

The Negotiating Team would like to thank all of you who filled out the Online Negotiations Survey. Results of the survey are being compiled by the University of North Texas and totals will be given to APFA to utilize for our Openers in the spring.

From the APFA Retirement Department: Regardless of your seniority or age, every FA should be preparing for retirement. APFA’s retirement specialist Jena Hopkins, STL Base Chair Tim Hunter and STL Vice Chair Nena Martin will be available on Wednesday, Feb. 20th to answer questions on maximizing your pension, retiree medical insurance, travel, life insurance and 401(k) info. Two STL sessions are scheduled beginning at 0900 and again at noon in the Flight Service Conference Room below Gate 8. Be sure to download and print your estimate from Jetnet for the seminar.

If you are on furlough and wish to attend, email [email protected]. Meet Tim Hunter 15 minutes before the session at the C security check point and he will escort you to the room.

Industry News: There is a lot of buzz right now about possible mergers among the major airlines. APFA has not been notified of any news regarding AA’s interests in another airline or vice versa. We understand this issue causes anxiety among so many of us at such an uncertain time and will keep you apprised of any developments we may receive on this front.

The office will be closed on Monday in honor of President’s Day and will be open Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. Central Time.

Please remember we still have 1,198 furloughed members awaiting recall.

Thank you for calling the APFA Hotline.