8.07.09 – (LAA) – Show Our Unity, STL Base VC Elections, Email Your Senators, Membership Outreach Meetings

This is Frank Bastien, National Communications Coordinator with the APFA weekly HotLine update for Friday, August 7.

QUICK ALERTS

• The time to Show our Unity is now! Wear only your APFA Pin and Wings.
• STL Base Vice Chairperson elections. See details below and online. (click here )
• Email your Senators to urge support of Flight Attendant friendly legislation. (click here )
• June Membership Outreach Meetings in streaming video. ( click here – log in required)

COMPANY PROPOSES CONCESSIONS – NEGOTIATING TEAM PREPARES RESPONSE

As reported in a Special HotLine update by APFA President Laura Glading on August 1 (read below), in two weeks of mediated talks, the company handed over long-awaited proposals on several areas impacting our pay, work rules and benefits.

As AA worked hard this week to positively spin the proposals on their own negotiations blog, it took our members little time to size up the deal. Despite management’s stated goal of achieving ” an agreement that recognizes the contributions and needs of our [members],” there is nowhere to be found any real recognition of our contributions, our sacrifices-over six yearís worth since 2003-now saving the company over $1 million per day. Instead, they want even more. More from you in hours you work, more from you in sacrificed vacation, more from you in increased medical coverage costs, more from you even after you finish your career.

While making these concessionary demands, AA still refuses to put forth a comprehensive pay proposal. Members have no reason to doubt the company’s full intent to further drag down your standard of living, and to further jeopardize your financial security. Our members’ growing frustration over the foot-dragging and the false promises has only made us more determined than ever to do what is necessary to achieve our true needs: real improvements in pay, work rules and benefits.

Mediated talks will resume the end of this month under the guidance of NMB Senior Mediator Zachery Jones (click for bio)-with a full week starting August 31 and more dates in mid-September. As your Negotiating Team prepares for these meetings, watch your mail for information and the tools we will use to prove that we will not sit idly by. We will not succumb to their tactics and we will demonstrate the strength of our unity and our resolve.

Members may view streaming videos of the June Membership Outreach Meetings with APFA President Glading, Negotiating Team members and attorneys on APFA.org (click here – login required) and hear more about the bargaining process and our action plans. Meantime, continue showing your unwavering support through our Pins and Wings campaign. If you are not wearing just Pins and Wings then you are not displaying your unity with your fellow members and your Union! Now is not the time for division and second guessing.

If you need a replacement pin, please email: [email protected] or call headquarters ext. 8153 (817.540.0108). Leave your name, employee number, base and address information. Many Base Reps (Chairpersons, Vice Chairpersons and Council Reps) carry extra pins, as do many members. If you need one, ask for one. If you have extras, give one to someone not yet showing our unity.

AWAITING RESULTS OF FURLOUGH MITIGATION OPTIONS

APFA’s Contract Department has consulted with the company in an effort to maximize the number of awards to be made in the recently closed proffers for Overage Leaves, Modified Partnership Flying (part-time) and Travel Separation Programs. We understand that members are anxious over the outcome, but also want the company to take the time necessary to ensure that all possible awards are made and jobs are saved. Flight Service will announce the results as soon as available.

If you are a currently furloughed Flight Attendant, your election window for the Travel Separation program remains open until 11pm (2300) central time on Friday, August 14. An invitation and information letter regarding your Travel Separation Program was sent by AA to those eligible on July 13. A copy of the letter is on the furlough page of APFA.org . If interested, your election form is accessible online through: aacareers.com/support.

ATTENTION ALL STL BASED FLIGHT ATTENDANTS ñ UPCOMING VICE CHAIR ELECTION

The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Labor Management Standards has ordered a new election for the position of St. Louis Vice Chairperson. Every step of this election process will be conducted under the supervision of the Department of Labor.

The election timeline is as follows:

>> Willingness-to-Serve Notifications will be mailed to all members at the St. Louis base by 5:00 PM on Monday, August 10, 2009.

>> Willingness-to-Serves are due in the National Ballot Committee post office box 907 in Euless, Texas, 76039 on Wednesday, September 9, at 10:00 AM.

>> If more than one eligible member submits a Willingness-to-Serve, ballots will be mailed to all St. Louis based members on September 22, 2009.

>> Ballots are due by 10:00 AM on October 22, 2009, and will be counted immediately following the pick-up at APFA Headquarters.

The candidate receiving the majority of the valid votes cast will assume office immediately for the remainder of the two-year term of office ending March 31, 2011.

All candidates will be notified of any changes to this schedule as deemed necessary by the Department of Labor Office of Labor Management Standards.

MEMBERSHIP ACTION REQUIRED ON THE LEGISLATIVE FRONT

As Congress takes an August recess and your Senators return to their states to meet with constituents, all members need to urge their elected officials to support two bills important to Flight Attendants.

>> The Airline Flight Crew Technical Corrections Act (S.1422) aims to clarify the eligibility requirements of the Family Leave and Medical Act with respect to airline flight crews who have been largely left out of the eligibility calculation of the FMLA due to our unusual scheduling patterns.

>> The FAA Reauthorization Legislation (S.1451) contains all of our Flight Attendant provisions, including the fatigue study, OSHA Regulations and English Language requirements. It is expected on the Senate floor in September.

Take a moment now to use our Capwiz page fill-in forms to email your Senators through these two links:

S.1451 – FAA Reauthorization Legislation (click here)
S.1422 – Family Leave for Crewmembers (click here)

IDF BASE MEETING

IDF representatives will hold a base meeting on Thursday, August 20, from 1230 ñ 1430, in the Unity Pays room at APFA Headquarters. Members in good standing are invited to attend. The address is 1004 W. Euless Blvd. Euless, TX (click here for map)

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Remember that there are 1,252 members now on furlough and awaiting recall. The updated list is on the furlough page at APFA.org. (click here)