6.11.10 – (LAA) – EC Meeting, Flagship University, Management Scabs, EC Recommends that APFA Board Increase Re-Initiation Fees, Ballot Committee Announces MIA Vice Chair Candidates, Chicago Retirement Briefings, Spirit Airlines Pilots Strike Deadline

This is Jeff Pharr, National Communications Coordinator with the APFA weekly HotLine update for the week ending Friday, June 11.

QUICK ALERTS

• APFA Executive Committee holds quarterly meeting
• Is your FSM involved in replacement training?
• APFA President sends message to possible management scabs
• Proposed re-initiation fee increase
• MIA Vice Chairperson election
• DFW ops visits
• July retirement briefings
• Spirit Airline pilots strike deadline tonight

APFA QUARTERLY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

This past Wednesday, the APFA Executive Committee (EC), comprised of the four National Officers and five Ad Hoc members, completed the scheduled two-day meeting for the first quarter of 2010. During the morning of day two, a detailed presentation was made to the EC by President Laura Glading, Chief Negotiator Anne Loew and Negotiating Team Counsel Rob Clayman regarding the status of our negotiations. This preceded two days of “all-team” internal meetings by APFA’s Negotiating Team.

Made clear in the discussion was the positive impact of the overwhelming membership support for our strike authorization ballot of May 19. The company’s cockeyed view of our work force as a complacent and docile flock ready to accept even more concessions was proved false in every respect. With this undeniable member backing of the APFA Negotiating Team, AA’s zero-sum strategy has suffered a severe blow. We now await further action by the National Mediation Board in moving these talks along toward a resolution favorable to our membership.

This does not mean our work is done by any means. Members must keep up the pressure on AA with a constant display of solidarity in face of the company’s tactics which have stretched our patience and driven us to this stage.

WHAT’S GOING ON AT FLAGSHIP UNIVERSITY (FU)?

One response to our balloting- and evidence that management is finally taking us seriously has been AA’s appeal to management staff to train as Flight Attendant replacements. It is reported that a number of Flight Service Managers (FSM) have assembled at the training center for a “train the trainer” session. Is your FSM taking part? Perhaps you should politely ask. All members should go to the Flight Service website, click on the ìJetMail my FSMî link and ask their supervisor flat out. Be direct, and by all means cordial:

“Are you participating in training possible replacement Flight Attendants?” – and –

“Will you fly and replace me if there is a strike?”

Please forward any confirmation you receive to [email protected]

PRESIDENT GLADING ADDRESSES POTENTIAL MANAGEMENT SCABS

While the company appeals to management staff to train for their “contingency” plan, APFA President Laura Glading has composed APFA’s own letter to potential replacements. In her email message, President Glading explains:

“Flight Attendants are dedicated to our jobs and to American Airlines. We do not want to strike; no one ever wants to strike. However, after seven years struggling under the sacrifices that we have all made for the survival of our airline, we feel strongly we must now take a stand not just for our profession and our futures, but for the futures of all of us.

“Before you volunteer to replace Flight Attendants in the event of a potential strike, it is vital that you get all the facts about what Flight Attendants have gone through in these negotiations and what we are resolutely trying to achieve. “

“Our industry has seen unprecedented lows this past decade, from which we are just now beginning to see a slow and long-anticipated turn-around. AAís very survival through these difficult times bears witness to the perseverance, allegiance and commitment of its work force in all divisions. This work force now deserves to see its future security and prosperity rewarded in working agreements which move toward rebuilding our careers and the financial stability we have put on hold for so long. “

“We are not so different from you, nor from working Americans across this country. Given what has happened to employees throughout our industry reflecting the same economic malaise affecting our nation- we feel we are truly standing up for the broader middle class. “

“Our proposals to the company are reasonable and will provide the foundation on which to see Flight Attendants and their families” living standards and future secured. Make no mistake. This is about more than just Flight Attendants at American Airlines. It extends to all workers in every facet of the company: from your work place, to the planes we fly, to the airports and to the ramps. “

“This is your struggle too. APFA members are fighting to raise the standard of living for all workers at American. So please think twice before you decide to volunteer to be a replacement Flight Attendant.”

A copy of the complete e-mail can be downloaded here. A YouTube video is also available here.

EC RECOMMENDS THAT APFA BOARD INCREASE RE-INITIATION FEES

Among the changes to the APFA Constitution approved by members in January of this year was a provision removing membership privileges from those Flight Attendants who take a paid position at AA outside of the Flight Attendant “class and craft.” This includes, among others, Flight Attendants who become FSMs or take other non-flying positions. Those who still retain Flight Attendant “line rights” are now required to pay a re-initiation fee upon returning to active Flight Attendant status. During their meeting this week, the EC passed a resolution recommending that the APFA Board of Directors substantially increase this re-initiation fee. The message is clear, if you hold line rights to return to the Flight Attendant corps, you should act now to rejoin us. Resign your current position and return to the line and stand in solidarity as a proud APFA member for the better future we all deserve.

BALLOT COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES MIA VICE CHAIR CANDIDATES

The APFA National Ballot Committee announced on Thursday, June 10 that Willingness-to-Serve Notifications for the position of MIA Vice Chairperson were received from two (2) candidates: Michelle Bernstein and Terrence Kelly Williams.

Ballots for the MIA Vice Chairperson election will be mailed on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 with ballots due and polls closing at 10:00 AM (1000) on July 29, 2010.

DFW OPS VISITS

On Wednesday, June 16, DFW Vice Chairperson Margaret (Stewart) Barnes, DFW Executive Committee member Liz Geiss and APFA Scheduling/Contract Representative Linda Haertling will be in DFW Terminal C operations from 11 AM to 3 PM (1100-1500). Please stop buy with any questions and concerns. They will also have available union pins, red lanyards and red discs.

Julie Frederick from APFA Government Affairs will also be present to answer any questions about how Political Action Committees (PAC) work, our recent legislative successes and ongoing efforts lobbying for issues important to Flight Attendants. You can even pick up a PAC donation card and join those members who contribute to this fund.

CHICAGO RETIREMENT BRIEFINGS

APFA’s Retirement Specialist Patrick Hancock, along with Michael Moster, the Financial Advisor for the AA Credit Union Investment and Retirement Services, will be conducting two Retirement Briefings in Chicago in July. Save these dates:

Thursday, July 8th from 11 AM to 1 PM (1100 to 1300)
Tuesday, July 27 from 2 PM to 4 PM (1400 to 1600)

Each session will be held in the Flight Service Conference Room across from the FYI Center, lower level K19.

Discussions include pension selections and retirement benefits, including insurance and travel. To get the most out of these helpful and popular seminars, print out and bring your personal pension estimate and plan calculation formulas from Jetnet. Flight Attendants from all bases are welcome to attend and no reservations are required.

SPIRIT AIRLINES PILOTS STRIKE DEADLINE AT MIDNIGHT TONIGHT

The 30-day cooling off period for Spirit Airlines and their Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA)-represented pilots will expire at midnight tonight (EDT). The pilots and Spirit have been in contract talks for the past three years. Some of the issues ALPA are fighting are pay, monthly scheduling max and vacation time – issues weíre all too familiar with as our battle with AA continues. Spirit has already canceled flights today through June 13 in anticipation of a pilot strike.

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Remember there are 1,358 members on furlough and awaiting recall.
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The Wings Foundation is much more than can recycling, though that is an important source of the funds they distribute to members in need. Visit their website for fund raising activities, to find base representatives, forms for donation ($$$, PVDs, etc.), or applications for assistance. See how you can help at your base. Wings is formed and managed by AA Flight Attendants for AA Flight Attendants. Check out Wings and all our APFA supported organizations through these links:

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