7.02.10 – (LAA) – Treasurer Run Off, MIA Vice Chairperson, Negotiations Update, U Pick It, TWU Requests Release from Mediation, Labor 1-ATA 0, Chicago Retirement Briefings

This is APFA National Communications Coordinator, Jeff Pharr, with the Weekly HotLine Update for Friday, July 2, 2010.

APFA NATIONAL TREASURER RUN-OFF ELECTION

Ballots for the APFA National Treasurer run-off election will be mailed on Saturday July 3, 2010. Polls for this election will close and ballots due on Monday, August 2, 2010.

Candidates for APFA National Treasurer are Steven Baumert and Michael Parker. Information for these candidates will be included in the voter packet and are available on the www.apfa.org website. Click here for the direct link.

MIA VICE CHAIRPERSON ELECTION

Ballots for the MIA Vice Chairperson election were mailed to all MIA based Flight Attendants on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. Ballots are due and polls will close at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 29, 2010.

Candidates for MIA Vice Chairperson are Michelle Bernstein and Terrence Kelly Williams. Information for both candidates are included in the voter packet and available on the www.apfa.org website. Click here for the direct link.

NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

As the National Mediation Board (NMB) contemplates their decision on our request for release, we will not be waiting quietly. APFA President Laura Glading sent letters to key investors in American Airlines this week. Laura Glading states in the letter, “…I feel it is crucial to inform you, as a major shareholder in American Airlines, of some potential developments at American that could have a serious impact on your investments.” The letter can be read in its entirety here.

A second letter with an update on our negotiations was also sent to members of Congress on Monday. Members of both the House and Senate have expressed appreciation for these updates as they monitor our talks with American. This letter is available here.

During the Negotiations Road Shows in April and May, we discussed pressure being applied on AA to negotiate an agreement from several angles – one being from Congress. Laura Glading keeping the members updated allows them the opportunity to weigh in on our talks. Some have already contacted American with their concerns and support for APFA. These letters can be viewed here.

U PICK IT!

Flight Attendants are one of the most creative groups around. Knowing that, we will be asking you to help us come up with slogans for picket signs should AA push us to that step.

What would YOU want to see on a potential Strike Picket Sign? Be creative and be spontaneous (but letís keep it clean, please). The top slogans selected by members of your Negotiating Team will be voted on by the APFA membership to see who has the best Picket Sign idea(s). The top three winners will receive a framed copy of his/her Picket Sign.

To enter, send your idea(s) to [email protected] with the subject line ‘U PickIt! Submission’. Please include your name, base and employee number. In the event of duplicate entries, the earliest submission will count.

TWU REQUESTS RELEASE FROM MEDIATION

This past Monday, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) at American asked the NMB for release from negotiations for their fleet and ground service workers. A press release from TWU states, “Unresolved issues that led to a suspension of the contract ratification process on a tentative agreement earlier this month have now led to a complete breakdown in contract talks.”

“Although the process is at an impasse for the fleet and ground service workers, voting on tentative agreements is moving forward for TWU-represented mechanics, technicians and workers who handle parts at American.”

Fleet and ground workers at American are expected to vote for strike authorization this month.

LABOR 1 – ATA 0

The end of last week brought some good news to labor. In May, the US Air Transport Association (ATA) filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the NMBís ruling that an airline work group can win union representation if a majority or those participating in a certification election vote “yes.” Prior to the ruling a majority of all members of a work group, not just those voting, needed to vote “yes.”

Last Friday, a US federal judge rejected the lawsuit.

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:

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.

MIND YOUR WALLET

Crewmembers are especially at risk to identity theft and credit card fraud as we use our cards around the world. Please be vigilant using your credit and debit cards and regularly monitor your account(s). Notify your card issuer immediately should you notice fraudulent or suspicious activity on the account.

ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING

After seven years of financial drain on APFA’s budget, the Lindsay (Marcoux) lawsuit has finally come to an end in APFA’s favor. The United States Supreme Court denied the plaintiffs’ petition for review, thus bringing this lawsuit to an official close. Laura Glading stated, “Although we had to let justice run its course, we felt confident all along that APFA would prevail in this frivolous lawsuit. Now we can focus even more resources on our negotiation with American.”

APFA Headquarters will be closed on Monday, July 5, 2010 in observance of Independence Day.

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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. If you are an active American Airlines Flight Attendant and you primary home has been destroyed, please contact WINGS Disaster Relief. 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:

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