7.16.10 – (LAA) – Treasurer Run Off, MIA Vice Chairperson Election, Negotiations Update, U Pickit!, DFW Representatives in Terminal C Operations, Cabin Cleanliness, BA FA Union Appeals to Investors, Doctors’ Union Offers Support

This is DFW Flight Attendant, Brenda McKenzie, with the Weekly HotLine Update for Friday, July 16, 2010.

APFA NATIONAL TREASURER RUN-OFF ELECTION

We need all members to vote in the run-off election for APFA National Treasurer. Ballots were mailed on Saturday July 3, 2010. Polls for this election will close and ballots are due on Monday, August 2, 2010.

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

All members are reminded that you must be a member in good standing not later than the close of business on the fifth (5th) day prior to the time limit for casting ballots in any election or referendum in order to be deemed eligible to vote. If you have questions about your dues status, please contact the APFA Dues Department. Email: [email protected] or call 817.540.0108 ext. 8154.

NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

APFA President, Laura Glading met with the National Mediation Board this week in Washington, D.C. President Glading continues to push for a decision in regard to our request to be released into a 30 day cooling off period. APFA does not believe we will receive a decision from the NMB until the issues with the TWU contracts gets resolved which will not occur until August 24th.

U PICK IT!

We are still accepting ideas for picket sign slogans to be used in a strike should American Airlines push us to that unfortunate 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 her/his 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. The deadline for submissions is July 31.

DFW REPRESENTATIVES IN TERMINAL C OPERATIONS

On Wednesday, July 21st, DFW Base Chairperson, Chris O’Kelley, DFW Vice Chairperson, Margaret (Stewart) Barnes, and APFA Contract/Scheduling Representative, Linda Haertling will be in Terminal C Operations from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (1100-1500) Please stop by and visit with your union representatives about your questions and concerns. Union pins, discs, and red lanyards will be available.

TO CLEAN OR NOT TO CLEAN?

Our colleagues at TWU have asked us to remind APFA members to please refrain from cleaning cabins on flights that are not designated as C-Bill flights. Our Contract requires us to pick up all cabins of thru flights designated as C-Bill flights under 1,100 statute miles. On all other flights, please allow TWU to perform all of their job functions while we perform our jobs as outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

BA FLIGHT ATTENDANT UNION APPEALS TO INVESTORS

Unite, the union representing the 12,000 Flight Attendants at British Airways, appealed to investors at an annual meeting to reach a compromise in an 18-month dispute over unsatisfactory pay and staffing levels. Unite distributed a letter to shareholders at Tuesday’s meeting seeking “an end to management by conflict.î BA Flight Attendants are in their second week of voting on the latest contract offer. Unite says new proposals on pay may be acceptable, but it also wants BA to back down from withdrawn travel perks and the suspension of striking workers.

According to Unite, grounded flights have cost an estimated $234 million to date. Researchers estimate an extended stoppage could cost as much as 2.2 billion dollars in lost sales as passengers switch to other carriers for their travel needs. In May passenger traffic fell 11 percent. Traffic fell another 11.5 percent in June as a result of the continued strike action. And yet British Airways Chairman, Martin Broughton, continues to publically promote the company’s projected six percent increase in revenue for the year.

DOCTORS’ UNION OFFERS SUPPORT

APFA continues to receive support from unions across many industries. Dr. Tony Brozek, President of the Doctors Council of Texas met with APFA President, Laura Glading offering support to our member’s on the picket line. As a former American Airlines employee and TWU representative, Dr. Brozek remains committed to the improvement of economic and social conditions of the American worker. More information about union doctors is available on the Federation of Physicians and Dentist website. Click here to access.

CHICAGO RETIREMENT BRIEFING

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 their last July 2010 Retirement Briefing in Chicago. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, July 27 from 2 P.M. to 4 P.M. (1400 to 1600)

This 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.

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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 was created by and is managed exclusively by AA Flight Attendants. Wings provides services only to AA Flight Attendants. Check out Wings and all our APFA supported organizations through these links:

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