5.15.09 – (LAA) – Negotiations Update, Save the Date, Federal Mediation Means, Reps in Ops at JFK, Mexico Service Reductions Update, International Crew Clearance, Baggage Fees Adding Up, Golf Tournament Benefiting the WINGS Foundation

APFA weekly HotLine update for Friday, May 15, 2009.

NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

Earlier this week, on Tuesday, May 12, your APFA Negotiating Team resumed talks with the company in Dallas under the guidance of our federal mediator. This followed a week of internal team planning meetings. There were also discussions between the APFA and AA scheduling subcommittees over technology programming issues that would arise should we be able to achieve our desired scheduling flexibilities. In addition to the mediated talks this week, the two teams have scheduled sessions in Washington beginning May 27 following an internal, all-team meeting on May 26.

SAVE THE DATE

A schedule has been released for visits to each base beginning June 5 to either detail a new agreement or make known our plans and strategies to step up our efforts and involve you, the APFA membership, to compel American Airlines to achieve a contract that will bring our Flight Attendants much needed relief. The base visit dates are:

— DFW, Friday, June 5

— ORD, Tuesday, June 9
— LAX, Wednesday, June 10
— SFO, Thursday, June 11

— MIA, Tuesday, June 16
— RDU, Wednesday, June 17

— BOS, Tuesday, June 23
— DCA, Wednesday, June 24

— STL, Tuesday, June 30
— NYC, Wednesday, July 1

See the APFA website or Base bulletin boards for a flyer detailing meeting times and places.

WHAT FEDERAL MEDIATION MEANS

The Federal Mediation in which we are now engaged is just one step of the Section 6 bargaining begun over one year ago. Our latest YouTube video discusses what mediation means for APFA Flight Attendants. View it on our channel at:

www.youtube.com/aaflightattendants

Then take our latest Quick Quiz for members and test your knowledge on the Ins and Outs of Airline Federal Mediation.

Go to: Quick Quizzes page

REPS IN OPS AT JFK

Flight Attendants passing through JFK on Tuesday, May 19 can stop by operations from 11am to 7pm to visit with APFA President Laura Glading and several members of the APFA Negotiating Team. Local Base Reps will also be there to answer your questions and hear your concerns.

GET INFORMED AND STAY ENGAGED

It is vital that every member stay informed and engaged as we work towards a new agreement. No one can afford to sit this one out and let only others get involved. “Wake me when it’s over” is not a strategy for success. We showed the company and the public what we can accomplish as a unified force over 15 years ago. Every member must be prepared to do her and his part in actions planned by your Union – your voice in this battle with the company for improved compensation and work rules.

It’s not too late to start. Make sure you have the most up-to-date information on file with APFA. If you have moved or changed your phone number or email address, please update your information with your Union. InfoReps are finishing their calls to members to verify contact numbers and emails. If you did not receive a call, or anytime your information changes, please contact the Membership Department. Use the Member Services link on our website, or email: [email protected]

Meantime, email the APFA Negotiating Team members with your questions, comments or concerns. Use the “Tell Your Team What You Want” web form link on the Negotiations page of the APFA website. Go to: index.php?&view=category&id=351 (website login required). Or email the team at: [email protected]

MEXICO SERVICE REDUCTIONS UPDATE

Members are reporting positive results to the company’s pledge to relax the “traffic light” rules in the Trip Trade with Open Time (TTOT) system in order to increase flexibility and maximize the ability to make-up hours in the face of schedule reductions made in our Mexico flying.

Remember to refer to the current working agreement regarding procedures to be followed in the event your schedule is affected by the Mexico service reductions, currently running through June 10. The Articles to reference are 9.E.3 for your obligation and 9.K for your rights to access open time and pre-plot a trip.

Please contact an APFA Scheduling Rep on Duty if you have any questions. Call 817.540.0108 ext. 8161.

See Letter of Agreement dated May 15 with additional Flight Attendant options for partial sequence cancellations.

INTERNATIONAL CREW CLEARANCE

All crew members flying through foreign stations need to remember that security screening procedures and requirements upon departure may differ substantially from those faced in U.S. cities or by the general public. They reflect the laws of that nation, which may be more stringent in areas concerning, for example: what may be carried aboard, export restrictions, procedures for suspected intoxication, and personal rights if challenged.

Crew members passing through crew security at LHR – our largest foreign station – should in particular be aware of the laws and the procedures. One legal reference for the UK is the Railways and Transportation Safety Act of 2003, Part 5, viewable through this link:

UK Transportation Act 2003

In any foreign city, should you feel that you, or another crew member, may be suspected of any infraction, please communicate with the Purser and the Captain before reaching the security clearance area. We should all watch out for each other, especially when traveling with crew members who are new to a particular city.

Contact your Base Representatives or, as appropriate, APFAís EAP Department (email: [email protected]) with details of any incident you encounter. They are excellent resources as well for those flying to unfamiliar destinations and facing unfamiliar procedures.

BAGGAGE FEES ADDING UP

In industry news, a report by CNNmoney.com reveals that airlines collectively raked in $1.15 billion from baggage fess in 2008. Topping the list was American, taking in a reported $278 million in fees. The lowest of the majors was Continental at $97 million. Southwest – though it charges only for excess baggage – itself took in $25 million. And consider, most of the charges for bags previously included in the ticket price did not even arise until the middle of the year. Analysts expect even higher numbers for 2009.

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 at: Golf Tournament Flyer

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Please remember our 1,261 APFA members on furlough and awaiting recall.

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