10.15.10 – (LAA) – Email Hotline Update, Negotiations Update, FA Recall Update, Transfer Update, Human Trafficking Update, SFO Downtown Hilton Strike, Midterm Elections, 2011 Benefits Enrollment, Delta Representation Election Update, Jetstar

APFA Weekly HotLine Update for the week ending Friday, October 15, 2010

Hello, this is APFA National Communications Coordinator, Jeff Pharr, with the Weekly Hotline Update for Friday, October 15, 2010.

E-mail Hotline Update

Today’s hotline was delivered by our new Hotline server. This new delivery system will streamline the process and allow you to self-manage how and where you want the hotline delivered. You will find an “Update your profile” link at the bottom of this e-mail.

Thank you for your patience during our transition and as we work out any bugs that arise over the next few weeks.

Negotiations Update

The APFA Negotiating Table Team will be traveling to Washington, DC this week to meet with the National Mediation Board (NMB). The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 19 at the NMB offices. Additional information will be delivered via this hotline as it becomes available.

APFA President Laura Glading stated, “Your Negotiating Team is undaunted and unwavering in its determination to attain the improvements we need and deserve. We look forward to meeting with the NMB next week and are prepared for the Railway Labor Act to progress as it was intended.”

Flight Attendant Recall Update

The company sent recall notices to the 227 most senior Flight Attendants on the furlough recall list today. These notices are being sent via Federal Express, two-day delivery, with signature required for receipt, rather than Certified Mail to ensure faster delivery and reduce the anxiety associated with the longer delivery time of Certified Mail.

Those Flight Attendants being recalled will have until Monday, October 25, 2010 to return their acceptance notice via the enclosed pre-paid FedEx two-day envelope.†The envelope must be dropped of at a Federal Express location by Monday October, 25, 2010 to ensure receipt by the company no later than October 27, 2010. A copy of the notice is posted on the Recall page of APFA.org along with other information including a Q&A document associated with the recall.

Flight Attendants that either reject the offer of reemployment or who fail to respond by the deadline will forfeit their recall rights.

As additional information is received, the APFA.org Recall page will be updated. Additional information regarding the next recall will be posted when it becomes available. It is currently anticipated that recall notices to those being recalled in the first quarter of 2011 will be mailed in late November or early December 2010.

If you have additional questions not answered on the website, please send them to [email protected]. The fact that we are recalling is great news for all members. Most importantly to those who have been on furlough but also for all Flight Attendants to provide the additional staffing needed to cover the operation and opportunities for growth and movement.

Transfer Update

As recently announced, the first round of recalled Flight Attendants will be recalled to LGA-D. In response to the recall announcement, the transfer list to LGA-D has been cleared. In addition, the list to MIA-D has been cleared and Regular Transfers to DFW-D have been captured up to seniority number 15701.

These Regular Transfers will†be effective 02DEC10. Flight Attendants posted on the preliminary list must accept or decline this transfer offer no later than 22OCT10 via HISEND message number 2, or by contacting their current base transfer coordinator. As a reminder, Flight Attendants on a Regular transfer do receive travel days.

This list has been posted on the Flight Service Website under:
Crew Resources-Domestic Transfers-Domestic Transfer Forecast and Postings

Human Trafficking Update

Since the announcement of AA’s commitment to participate in helping to curtail human trafficking activity, APFA has received numerous inquiries about the company’s procedures.  APFA President Laura Glading met with Vice President of Flight Service, Denise Lynn to address the concerns of any potential repercussions if Flight Attendants fail to identify the signs or if they act in good faith in reporting a situation that turns out not to be human trafficking.

Denise Lynn sent a letter to Laura Glading that stated, “I can assure you that it is not our intent to discipline Flight Attendants who are acting in the spirit of these new human trafficking guidelines.” The full letter can be read here.

SFO Downtown Hilton Strike

Employees at the SFO Downtown Hilton are currently on strike and will picketing through Monday, October 18, 2010. Crews scheduled to layover at the Downtown Hilton will be relocated to the Crown Plaza Foster City through Monday, October 19, 2010. Please check your HIHTL.

The SFO Airport Hilton will not be affected.

Midterm Elections

On November 2, polling places all across the country will open and millions of voters will exercise their most sacred right in a democracy. This election is extremely important to both our nation and our union.

We need representatives in office that will fight for and support issues that affect our careers. APFA urges you to study the issues that count so you can make an informed decision. Visit the Government affairs page of APFA.org to learn about the most important issues our union is facing.

Make absolutely sure your vote counts. If you will be traveling on November 2, vote absentee – or vote early. Many states now allow polling places to open prior to Election Day.

2011 Benefits Enrollment

Open enrollment for 2011 benefits is available on Jetnet now through midnight central time on October 31, 2010. The passage of the Healthcare Reform Act brought much needed changes to health benefits. Please carefully read the information on the Benefits section of Jetnet in order to make the best decisions for you and your family.

Deadline for open enrollment is midnight central time on Sunday, October 31, 2010.

Delta Representation Election Update

As the Flight Attendants at Delta Airlines proceed with their AFA representation election with a voting deadline of Wednesday, November 3, 2010, other workgroups at Delta are preparing to vote for representation as well.

This past Thursday, 14,000 Delta Fleet Service workers began voting to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). Results will be announced on Thursday, November 18, 2010.

The Stock and Stores employees totaling 700, will begin voting on Monday, October 25, 2010 to join the IAM. These results will be announced on Monday, November 22, 2010.

The IAM also said it was waiting for the NMB to schedule a vote for more than 16,000 Delta Passenger Service Agents.

Go, Delta, Go!

Jetstar

American announced this week a codeshare and interline agreement with Jetstar, a Quantas Group airline. The agreement will place the AA code on flights operated by Jetstar:

Auckland-Christchurch
Auckland-Queenstown
Auckland-Wellington
Christchurch-Queenstown
Christchurch-Wellington

The press release can be read here.

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Please remember there are currently 1,340 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