4.17.09 – (LAA) – Airline Quarterly Earnings, Executive Bonuses,

APFA weekly HotLine update for Friday, April 17, 2009.

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Flight Attendants Speak Out!

AIRLINE QUARTERLY EARNINGS

On Wednesday, April 15, American Airlines’ parent company AMR, reported first quarter 2009 earnings – a loss of $375 million for the three months January to March. This was $25 – $50 million lower than the loss predicted by Wall Street. Despite the red ink for quarter, American and industry analysts reported several positive signs for the remainder of the year. That, along with the better-than-predicted results, were reflected in the increase of AMR’s share price that day – a rise of 79 cents.

Thursday, April 16, cross-town rival Southwest also turned in a loss for the quarter – $91 million for the three months, worse than most analyst predictions. Just like American, Southwest attributed the poor earnings largely to the sharp decline in passenger traffic. Though both airlines had made cuts in capacity year-over-year, the decrease in seats sold outpaced the reduction in seats available. Nevertheless, most analysts now foresee a industry turnaround throughout the remainder of the year as the high travel season progresses, capacity cuts come closer to matching passenger demand and the economy overall begins to show its long-hoped-for improvement.

EXECUTIVE BONUSES – MONEY GRAB 2009!

As in years past, AMR’s top managers have a more self-serving interest than most in the company’s performance. Following a pattern of corporate excess, top executives at AMR rewarded themselves bonuses in accordance with sweetheart deals laid out months before in the 2009 version of the AMR spring money grab. In an April 15 press release regarding the bonuses, APFA President Laura Glading detailed the Union’s perspective on the awards, taking them as a signal that the company is now ready to make good on its long repeated refrain of shared sacrifice bringing shared reward. Said Ms. Glading: “[Management’s] constant crying poor is now shown to be a sham as their actions speak louder than their words. Employees deserve to be rewarded for their hard work and sacrifices. None have worked as hard or have sacrificed more than Flight Attendants.”
AMR Executives Accept Million Dollar Bonuses Again

APFA MEMBERS SPEAK OUT!

Union members speak out in APFA’s latest YouTube video, already drawing hundreds of web hits. Available through the APFA main page or directly through the YouTube link at the top of this HotLine, the video is receiving positive comments. We encourage you to share it with your coworkers, friends and family by forwarding this HotLine.

APFA members with a website login are invited to share their comments on executive pay and bonuses through a members-only link on the APFA main page. Tell us how you feel about American’s execs and management rewarding themselves first – and repeatedly – while slashing service, cutting jobs and ignoring the promises made to its front line employees to exact the concessions which saved this company from bankruptcy.

NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

Your APFA Negotiating Team faced the Company in mediated bargaining sessions this past week as they continue to work toward making May Day, Pay Day. Seeking significant improvements to an agreement which became amendable almost one year ago, your Team met long hours both with the Company and internally as they progress through the bargaining calendar.

On Monday, April 20, members of your APFA Team will fan out to all bases for the second of the planned Base Ops visits to meet members, answer their questions, provide updates and dispel rumors. See the list of places and times in the flyer available through a link on the APFA home page. Following the success of a similar visit last month, negotiators Ray Baylis (IOR) and Steven Ellis (JFK) will meet with Flight Attendants arriving, departing and laying over at the downtown London hotel on Tuesday evening, April 21, from 5pm to 8pm and Wednesday morning, April 22, from 6am to 11am. Check the hotel’s crew room bulletin board for any changes.

Continue to send your comments and concerns to the APFA Team members directly through their email address: [email protected] or the web link, “Tell Your Team What Your Want” on the Negotiations page of the website.

NEW CHAIR/VICE CHAIR TRAINING

APFA Headquarters was the site of training for the new Chairpersons and/or Vice Chairpersons from: IOR, IDF, JFK, LGA, STL and RDU-I who took office April 1. The three-day training included reviews of the APFA Constitution and Policy Manual, Headquarters internal functioning as well as Base procedures, budget issues and financial policies and presentations/training by APFA Representatives and National Coordinators.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CONFIRMATION

On Thursday, April 16, the APFA Executive Committee met in a special session in the DFW area. During the meeting, IMA Flight Attendant Kelly Skyles was confirmed as APFA Safety and Security Coordinator effective April 16 and for the remainder of the current term, ending March 31, 2010.

ORD RETIREMENT SEMINAR

A retirement seminar is scheduled at Chicago O’Hare on Thursday, April 23. The place is the Chicago West Conference Room, outside security on the mezzanine level, above the International check-in counter. The time is 10:30 AM to 12:00 noon for all work groups and 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM for Flight Attendants only. To get the most out of these helpful seminars, print out and bring your personal pension estimate and plan calculation formulas from Jetnet. For more information, call 773.686.6689.

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. Jim Wright Invitational Golf Tournament

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The number of APFA members now furloughed and awaiting recall stands at 1261. The complete list effective April 1 is now posted on the furlough page of APFA.org.

Remember that the Wings Foundation has a website with information on base contact numbers, donation forms and assistance requests. Go to: www.wingsfoundation.com.