11.25.09 – (LAA) – Leave of Absence Proffer Open, Last Five Days of Contractual Month Approaching, Future Negotiating Committees, WINGS, Airline Ambassadors, UNICEF

APFA weekly HotLine update for Wednesday, November 25, 2009.

QUICK ALERTS

• Leave of Absence proffer open now for Jan-Mar 2010. Proffer closes soon.
• Last Five Days of contractual month approaching. Know the rules.
• Focus on the Constitution – Future Negotiating Committees
• Smoking in non-smoking rooms: reports on the rise
• Include Wings // Airline Ambassadors // UNICEF on your holiday gift list
• Holiday office closure – November 26 and 27

LEAVE OF ABSENCE (PLOA) PROFFER DEADLINE APPROACHES

One final reminder that the current proffer for Leaves of Absence (PLOA) for the three-month period – January through March 2010 – will close on Monday, November 30 at 8:30 A.M. (0830) Central Time. The ballot is available on the Flight Service website and includes information regarding travel, benefits and seniority accrual on a PLOA.

The APFA Contract Department includes these reminders: There is no D1 or other airline travel on a PLOA; however other travel privileges remain the same. Occupational Seniority (OCC SEN) accrues for the first 180 days of a PLOA. Since this leave is only for 90 days OCC SEN will not be impacted unless the leave is consecutive with other leaves. If the leave is consecutive with other leaves (other than an Overage Leave of Absence) then the 180 days will be measured from the start date of the first leave.

“LAST FIVE DAYS” BEGINS NOVEMBER 27

From the APFA Scheduling Department: Remember that the contractual month of November ends on December 1. This means that Friday, November 27 begins the last five days of the contractual month. Flight Attendants who experience an Illegality or Cancellation during this period should review page 23 of the On Duty Contract Guide to determine if the Last Five Days of the Month Cancellation/Illegality Protection applies in their case and, if so, the precise steps to follow. The On Duty Contract Guide is available through a link online, without website login, at: index.php/2633 (or click here for page 23). The applicable text from the guide is also reprinted below.

FOCUS ON THE CONSTITUTION – FUTURE NEGOTIATING COMMITTEES

This week, a detailed booklet on the proposed changes to the APFA Constitution – coming to members in a referendum – was finalized and sent to the printer. Watch for it in your mailbox beginning late next week. A separately mailed ballot will arrive shortly thereafter. There are five major changes proposed for the APFA Constitution which speak to areas of concern expressed by members and addressed by the APFA leadership at the Fall 2009 Board of Directors meeting.

Board Resolution 5 brings a new and more efficient structure for future negotiating committees. This proposal will reduce future teams – not the current – from twelve to six members, plus the APFA President. The proposal is for the team to consist of: two members elected by the membership (one each Domestic and International), two members appointed by the Board of Directors (one each Domestic and International), and two members appointed by the President (also one each Domestic and International).

Your APFA leadership recommends that you vote YES to approve changes to future Negotiating Committees.

FROM THE APFA HOTEL DEPARTMENT …

The APFA Hotel Department is receiving increased reports of crewmembers smoking in non-smoking layover rooms. All crewmembers are reminded that smoking in designated non-smoking layover rooms may subject the crewmember to a hotel-imposed cleaning fee. These fees can be steep, often ranging from $150 – $450. Perhaps more importantly, violating the non-smoking policies this way can put our contract with the hotel at risk. Some hotel chains (Marriott, to name just one) have gone all non-smoking. In such cases, smokers should inquire of the hotel staff for any area set aside for smoking as none will be permitted in the rooms. Also, when checking into a non-smoking room, if you detect that a previous guest had smoked there, please notify the hotel management immediately so that you are not later suspected of violating non-smoking policies.

UPDATE YOUR MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

Have you moved lately? Changed your phone number or email address? American does not share your address, phone or email changes with APFA. To ensure you receive timely information and mailings from your Union – including ballots – keep the Membership Department informed of any changes. Email: [email protected] or call headquarters ext. 8153 to make sure we have your current contact info.

CHARITABLE GIVING FOR THE HOLIDAYS

As the holiday shopping season gets into full swing, consider making a gift to one or more of the charitable organizations with close ties to AA Flight Attendants.

The Wings Foundation – run by and for AA Flight Attendants – has a long history of helping our colleagues in need. Contribute to their efforts through can recycling, PVD donation, payroll deduction or any number of ways.

Airline Ambassadors provides humanitarian aid to children and families in need as well as relief and development to under-privileged communities worldwide.

UNICEF/Change for Good is familiar to our International crews on select flights who collect donations of unused U.S. and foreign currencies. Change for Good has generated over $90 million that UNICEF has used to provide a healthier, happier future for millions of children.

Visit these organizations through these links:

Wings Foundation // Airline Ambassadors // UNICEF/Change for Good

HOLIDAY OFFICE CLOSURE

The APFA Headquarters office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 26 and 27, in observance of the Thanksgiving Day Holiday. Regular office hours will resume on Monday, November 30. Your Headquarters and Base APFA representatives wish all members and their families a Happy Thanksgiving.
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Remember that there are currently 1,412 members on furlough and awaiting recall.
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Excerpt from the On Duty Contract Guide (page 23)

LAST FIVE (5) DAYS OF THE MONTH CANCELLATION/ILLEGALITY PROTECTION:

1. Pay protection and obligation limited to contractual month in which the sequence was scheduled to originate.

2. Applies only at origination of Flight Attendant’s last trip of the month, including Make-Up, Option II and Optional Exchange.

3. Last trip of the month must originate in last five days of the month.

4. If Flight Attendant is at or above guarantee and wants to protect her/his hours, s/he must:

a. Place her/his name on the make-up list for all days originally scheduled to fly, including the eight (8) hour period after the scheduled termination of the trip sequence lost or until midnight of the last day of the contractual month.

b. Accept any trip offered that that originates up to eight (8) hours after the scheduled termination of the trip sequence lost. Flight Attendant must be legal and available for assignment.

1) If not offered such a trip on make-up, s/he is pay protected for lost time.

2) If offered and actually flies a trip worth less than trip lost, s/he is pay protected for the greater time.

5. If Flight Attendant is at or below guarantee:

a. No further obligation.

b. Only guarantee is protected.

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