10.01.10 – (LAA) – Negotiations Update, APFA BOD Fall Meetings, Drug Testing, AFA Representatioin Election at Delta, Email Down, Free Drinks in Domestic Admirals Clubs, DFW-D and MIA-D, Leaving Messages from a Cell Phone, Retirement Seminar, Hotline Distr

Hello, this is APFA National Communications Coordinator, Jeff Pharr, with the Weekly Hotline Update for Friday, October 01, 2010.

NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

A new date has been set for the APFA Negotiating Table Team to meet with the National Mediation Board (NMB). The meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 in Washington, DC. Updates will be reported via this Hotline as they become available.

APFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS FALL MEETING

The APFA Board of Directors will hold their fall board meeting in the DFW area at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Grapevine, TX. The meeting will begin on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at 09:00 in the Preston Trail Room. All members in good standing are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Embassy Suites
2401 Bass Pro Drive
Grapevine, TX, 76051
(972) 724-2600

CHANGE IN DRUG TESTING

Effective today, the Department of Transportation (DOT) will incorporate changes regarding Drug Testing. Two new tests have been added. One specifically for Heroin and a second for MDMA (Ecstasy). Also, the confirmatory levels for Amphetamine and Cocaine have been lowered. More information can be found in the document posted on the EAP page of the APFA.org website.

GO DELTA GO!

This Wednesday, the Flight Attendant union (AFA) representation election began at Delta. You may recall back in May, the NMB altered a 75 year old labor law rule. Prior to the change the outcome was the majority of votes based on the number of eligible voters. Now the outcome will be based on the number of eligible voters who participate. The voting deadline is Wednesday, November 3, 2010. This election is being closely watched with accusations of misconduct from both sides. We will keep you updated as information becomes available.

APFA President, Laura Glading said, “AFA-Delta has our full support in their organizing effort. APFA and all Flight Attendant work groups have learned that nothing can be gained other than through a struggle.” Ms. Glading continued, “A union and a legally binding collective bargaining agreement hold’s the company to task and guarantees that everyone is treated equally.”

E-MAIL DOWN

The internet and e-mail server for APFA went down Tuesday morning this week. Our provider, AT&T, experienced difficulties and was unable to repair the problem until late Thursday afternoon. All e-mails sent to an www.apfa.org e-mail address during this time did not reach the intended recipient. If you did send an e-mail to APFA anytime from Tuesday, September 28 through Thursday, September 30, please re-send the e-mail. This includes e-mails to your Chairperson or Vice Chairperson, and e-mails and reports to the APFA departments; Communications, Contract, Dues, Scheduling, EAP, Membership, Retirement, Safety and Security, Health or Hotel. Any e-mail sent to an www.apfa.org address during the down time, should be resent.

FREE DRINKS

Last week, American announced that, beginning today, free drinks will be served in all domestic Admirals Clubs. APFA would like to remind everyone that Federal Aviation Regulation 121.575 states in part that, “No certificate holder may allow any person to board any of its aircraft if that person appears to be intoxicated.”

WELCOME TO TEXAS, YA’LL – BIENVENIDO A MIAMI

The company will be processing regular transfers into DFW-D and MIA-D effective November 1, 2010. Flight Attendants interested in transferring to these bases must update their 3* record no later than 08:30CT on October 4, 2010. The transfer list will be captured at that time. The number of transfers will also be determined at that time. The numbers are estimated at 50+/- to DFW and 15+/- to MIA. In addition, those Flight Attendants with requests currently in their 3* and no longer desire to transfer to either DFW or MIA, should update their preferences by 08:30CT on October 4, 2010.

LEAVING MESSAGES FROM A CELL PHONE

Should you use you cell phone to call in to APFA Headquarters and leave a message, please know that often times, the message received is garbled and not understandable. This also applies to your local reps – your base Chair and Vice Chairperson. If you leave a message with one of the APFA Departments or your Chair or Vice Chairperson’s voicemail and do not receive a return call within 24 hours, please call again.

RETIREMENT SEMINAR

The company is sponsoring a Retirement Seminar on October 11, 2010 from 09:00-11:00 in the DFW Airport Yandry Conference Center across from gate C-2. AFPA Retirement Specialist, Patrick Hancock will also be on hand with a presentation and to answer questions. This seminar is open to all Flight Attendants from all bases, but particularly important to Flight Attendants planning to retire in the next 10 years. To make the most of this briefing, print and bring your personal pension estimate and plan calculation formulas from JetNet.

HOTLINE DISTRIBUTION CHANGES

We are in the process of converting to a new e-mail Hotline server. If you are an APFA member, please go to https://members.www.apfa.org and update your e-mail address. This database will be used to send the hotline once the transition is complete.

Members of the Press and other non-APFA members, we will notify you via this hotline once the sign-up process is available. This version of the Hotline will continue until the transition is complete.

UNITED HEALTHCARE LAWSUIT

We continue to receive calls regarding the United Healthcare Lawsuit. While APFA is not party to the lawsuit, if you were covered by United Healthcare anytime from March 15, 1994 through November 18, 2009 and did not receive a Summary Notice in the mail, or have questions pertaining to the lawsuit, please contact the Claims Administrator, Berdon Claims, directly:

Deadline is Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Website – www.berdonclaims.com
E-mail – [email protected]
Phone – 800-443-1073

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Please remember there are 1,342 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 provide 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