2.06.09 – (LAA) – Negotiations Survey, VTF Test Program Continues, Base Ballot and Duplicate Ballot Requests, Convention Reminder, Corrections to Family Medical Leave Act, Due Status for Voting, Dues While on Leave

You have reached the APFA weekly HotLine update for Friday, February 6, 2009. This is Frank Bastien, National Communications Coordinator.

NEGOTIATIONS SURVEY

Your APFA Negotiating Team has released a short Scheduling Opinion Survey to the membership which is now available through a link on the main page of the APFA website. Unlike the previous opinion survey, this short questionnaire can be taken directly through the website. Following the instructions on the Survey page, members will need to login through the Member Services screen, which will also allow reviewing of your current address and email information on file.

If you find your information is incomplete or incorrect, you may take this opportunity to make corrections before or after taking the survey. If your information on the screen is correct, you may skip directly to the survey without submitting any changes.

The survey will remain open through March 5. Please remember you may always send your thoughts, comments and questions about issues that concern you directly to the Negotiating Team. Use their email address at: [email protected] or complete the online contact form “Tell Your Team What You Want” from the Negotiations page at: www.www.apfa.org.

VTF TEST PROGRAM CONTINUES

Along with your survey answers and your comments, your Negotiating Team continues to gather data from the on-going trial of the Volunteer to Fly (VTF) program, which began January 15 at the bases of DFW, IDF, DCA and DCA-I. The data from the trial will allow your Team to examine its potential impact on both reserve numbers and the ability to earn extra pay for Line Holders and Reserves alike. Important information on the program for Flight Attendants at the test bases is available through the APFA website. Go to the Negotiations page and view, download or print the VTF documents linked to at the very top of the page.

BASE BALLOT AND DUPLICATE BALLOT REQUESTS

The APFA National Ballot Committee on Tuesday, January 27, mailed out ballots for Chairperson elections at: IDF, IOR, JFK, LGA and STL; and for Vice Chairperson elections at: IDF, IOR, JFK, RDU-I and STL. Ballots must be received in the designated P.O. Box by 9 a.m. Central time on February 26, 2009.

Members needing a duplicate ballot may request one by:

— completing the online Duplicate Ballot Request form on the Elections and Balloting page from the Departments menu on the APFA website; or
— calling the National Ballot Committee at 817.540.0108 extension 8311; or
— emailing: [email protected].

In accordance with the APFA Policy Manual, if both an original and duplicate ballot are received, only the duplicate will be counted. Duplicate ballots will be issued, upon request, up to five (5) days prior to the ballot due date.

For answers to your specific questions on the election and balloting procedures, you may also contact the APFA National Ballot Committee via email: [email protected] or by calling headquarters extension 8311.

CONVENTION REMINDER

Preparations continue for the annual APFA Convention, this year to be held in Boston from March 5 – 8. Members in good standing who are based in Boston, those who live or may be in the area visiting or on layover, or those who are interested in seeing first hand how decisions are made by your Union’s leaders are welcome to attend all open portions of the meeting. The Annual Convention is an important event on the APFA calendar, setting the course of our Organization for the coming fiscal year. Contact your Base Chair – who is your voice on the Board of Directors – to learn more about this year’s convention and how you can take part and stay informed.

Keep in mind that there are 1,177 of our members currently on furlough and awaiting recall to the line.

Check out the Wings Foundation website for ways you can help this worthy organization provide aid to our members in need. Go to: www.wingsfoundation.com.

And thank you for calling the APFA HotLine.

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CORRECTIONS TO FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

Soon it is expected that what was H.R. 2744, the Airline Flight Crew Technical Corrections Act, will be reintroduced in the 111th Congress. This bill received much bipartisan support last year and will correct the Family Medical Leave Act to clarify that an airline crewmember will be eligible for FMLA benefits if they have been paid for or completed 60 percent of their company’s monthly hour or trip guarantee. This change to the law will apply FMLA requirements to airline employees in order to correct an unintended oversight of the original legislation.

The bill’s sponsors have written a “Dear Colleague” letter to all House members, encouraging each to sign on as an original cosponsor of this reintroduced bill. All APFA members are requested to contact their House Representative to urge his or her support and co-sponsorship.

The APFA section of CapWiz has been updated with this new appeal. Please access the site now and contact your Representative.

Go to: http://capwiz.com/apfa/issues/alert/?alertid=12599126

BE DUES CURRENT TO HAVE YOUR BALLOT COUNT

For those Flight Attendants at our six bases currently conducting elections, you must be a member in good standing (dues current or on an official APFA payment plan) no later than five (5) days prior to the election in order to be deemed eligible to vote. If you have questions about your dues status, please contact the APFA Dues Department at 817.540.0108 extension 8154, or email: [email protected].

DUES WHILE ON LEAVE

The APFA Treasurer reminds those Flight Attendants currently on, or who will be going out on, an Overage Leave that you remain dues obligated during the leave. Once you return from your leave, if you have not prepaid your dues or paid monthly throughout your leave, you will have sixty (60) days to set up a payment plan for the dues accrued and owed. This payment plan must result in payment of your dues accrued during the leave in a time period no longer than twice the length of your leave. It is easier to prepay your dues upfront, or to leave a credit card on file for monthly billing. You will still receive a monthly statement. Make your arrangements via email to the Dues Department at: [email protected]. Or call headquarters extension 8154.