3.27.09 – (LAA) Negotiators Take Their Message to the Membership, 2008 PVD Overpayment Adjustments, Voluntary Travel Seperation Program Deadline, WINGS Golf Tournament, Phone Tree Information, American Eagle Employment, Scheduling Quick Quizzes, Dues Whil

This is Frank Bastien, National Communications Coordinator, with the APFA weekly HotLine update for Friday, March 27, 2009.

APFA NEGOTIATORS TAKE THEIR MESSAGE TO THE MEMBERSHIP

Members of APFA’s Negotiating Team, joined by local Representatives, brought their message directly to members last Friday, March 20, fanning out to operations areas at each base during peak sign-in times. Flight Attendants had opportunities to meet members of the APFA Team and speak face-to-face about their concerns and the progress of mediated talks. Your Team prepared several documents including information about what mediation means, the schedule of planned bargaining sessions and a chart of where we are on each contractual article. These are available through links at the top of the Negotiations page at: index.php?&view=category&id=351. Website login is required.

Two members of the Team continued the informal but informational meetings for the large contingent of crew members arriving, or laying over, at London Heathrow on Saturday evening the 21st and Sunday morning the 22nd. Speaking of the chance to directly question members of the Team at the downtown London layover hotel, one member based at IMA reported she “was impressed how Mario [St. Michel – JFK] and Ray [Baylis – IOR] took the time with each and every Flight Attendant who showed up to explain where we are in negotiations and to answer each and every question of every Flight Attendant who was there.” Another member from IDF had this to say of these opportunities to speak with the Team: “All of us need to be involved, even if it is only being aware of what is happening and [ensuring] rumors are squelched.”

Another session of base ops visits is scheduled for Monday, April 20. Check the flyer with a list of times and locations through the link right on the APFA main page.

You may communicate your comments and ask your questions directly to the Negotiating Team through their email address at: [email protected]. Or use the web contact form “Tell Your Team What You Want” available through the negotiations page of the site.

This week, the APFA and Company’s scheduling subcommittees met to review the results of the VTF program and continue discussions on Article 10 – Reserve. Mediated talks reconvene March 31 in the DFW area.

2008 PVD OVERPAYMENT ADJUSTMENTS

Pay Comp has completed the process of calculating the number of pay hours to be recovered from Flight Attendants who exceeded 2008 vacation accruals with PVD usage. Payroll has advised that pay recovery will begin on the April 30, 2009 paycheck. The Flight Attendant Service Center will now begin to advise the affected Flight Attendants and will coordinate with Payroll any requests for a repayment plan. Any Flight Attendant who does want to establish a repayment plan must advise the Flight Attendant Service Center prior to April 17.

VOLUNTARY TRAVEL SEPARATION PROGRAM DEADLINE

A reminder to our members currently on furlough or about to be furloughed that the deadline to elect the Voluntary Travel Separation Program is Monday, March 30 at 11:00 PM Central Time. Please review the documents related to the Travel Separation Program thoroughly to ensure you fully understand who is eligible for travel and how service charges are applied under the program as they differ from travel associated with active or retiree travel. If you have not received a letter from AA advising you of the program you can access the letter and Information packet from the Furlough page of the APFA website. If you are having difficulty accessing or using the www.aacareers.com/support website, please send an email with specific details of the problems you are having to: [email protected].

There are 1,167 members on furlough and awaiting recall as of March 27, 2009.

Remember that the Wings Foundation has a website with information on base contact numbers, donation forms and assistance requests. Go to: www.wingsfoundation.com. Contact your local reps for fundraising activities at your base or near your home.

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GOLF TOURNAMENT BENEFITING THE WINGS FOUNDATION

The Tarrant County Central Labor Council is sponsoring the 2nd Annual Honorable Jim Wright Invitational Golf Tournament on Thursday, May 28 at the Golf Club at Fossil Creek in Fort Worth, Texas (www.thegolfclubatfossilcreek.com). This yearís proceeds will benefit the Wings Foundation and the working families of Tarrant County. A flyer with schedules, process and sign-up forms is available from APFA.org. Go to: images/PDFs/jim_wright.pdf

PHONE TREE INFORMATION

APFA is gearing up the Phone Tree! Soon you may be receiving a call from an APFA InfoRep to verify your phone numbers, your email address and to find out how you get your Union and Negotiations information. As talks proceed, we must be ready to mobilize and get the word out. An accurate Phone Tree is a vital part. If you receive a call, please take the few minutes necessary to share your updated contact information.

AMERICAN EAGLE EMPLOYMENT

Many of our members found employment with American Eagle during a previous period of furlough and might be interested in returning to American Eagle if opportunities were available. While they are not currently hiring, it is possible that they could be recruiting in the very near future. American Eagle stated they would be extremely interested in rehiring those who previously worked for them. If you would like to be notified should American Eagle be in a position to hire Flight Attendants, please send an email to Brent Peterson, National Contract Coordinator at: [email protected]. If you did not previously work at American Eagle, but are interested in being considered for positions if they were to recruit please also send an email to Brent.

SCHEDULING QUICK QUIZZES

Test your Contract IQ by taking one of the latest APFA Quick Quizzes. With both Domestic and International versions, the quizzes focus on some very common Scheduling questions and scenarios. Have your On-Duty Contract Guide (ODCG) handy to find the answers. The link to the quizzes is on the APFA.org main page.

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.