11.19.10 – (LAA) – Negotiations Update, Remember Novementer, TSA Enhanced Screening Procedures, Recall Update, Southwest FAs Ratify Contract, Delta Baggage Workgroup Reject Union Representation, Happy Hour, JFK Retirement Briefing

APFA Weekly Hotline Update for the week ending Friday, November 19, 2010

NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

Late yesterday, APFA President Laura Glading heard from the National Mediation Board (NMB). Director of Mediation Services, Larry Gibbons, will meet with both the APFA and AA Negotiating Teams the first week of January. Details are still being finalized and will be reported via this hotline as soon as they are available.

Although this meeting is not as soon as we had hoped, your letters and e-mails sharing your frustration with both the NMB and American’s lack of progress have been extremely helpful in advancing the process.

We will continue to press for a release into the 30-day cooling off period.

REMEMBER NOVEMBER

In case you missed yesterday’s special update, Laura Glading and other National Officers recorded a video acknowledging the 17th anniversary of our strike against American and their thoughts on negotiations and their gratitude for your continued support.

Laura Glading states,

It has been a long and difficult road and I want to thank each and every one of you for your hard work and support in our fight to get the contract we deserve.

We cannot control the challenges we are faced with ñ but we can control how we react to those challenges.

In 1993 we faced one of the most difficult moments in our history, but we stayed united and we achieved our goal. We need to be even stronger and more unified today. We will not give up and we will not back down.

Please take a moment to view the video on our YouTube Channel.

FROM THE SAFETY AND SECURITY DEPARTMENT

The new TSA enhanced screening procedures have not gone unnoticed or unaddressed by APFA and we will continue to push for an acceptable resolution for our Membership regarding airport security screening procedures.

This morning the TSA announced that Pilots will be exempt from physical checks at airport security checkpoints. The plan will be phased in beginning the first quarter of next year.

APFA has been working with Americanís Security Department, and a recommended solution for Flight Attendants has been submitted to the TSA. The TSA is engaged in creating a similar program for Flight Attendants.

We are extremely disappointed Flight Attendants were not included in this initial release for Pilots. APFA will not stop until all crewmembers are included.

Until we are able to achieve a resolution to this TSA issue, APFA continues to recommend that you view the information on the TSA Website and then decide whether or not you want to pass through the AIT scanner.

Anytime you opt for the pat down, or are subsequently required a pat down due to an AIT Scanner alarm, please send a report to the APFA Safety and Security Department. We are collecting as much information as possible regarding the new invasive pat down procedure. Please send a detailed report to [email protected] as well as submitting a report via the AMR Event Reporting System.

RECALL UPDATE

Recall letters were sent this past Wednesday via two-day FedEx to the next 100 most senior Flight Attendants on the recall list. Those being recalled have until November 29, 2010 to return their acceptance notice to FedEx via a pre-paid two-day FedEx envelope. The company must receive acceptance notices no later than December 1, 2010. Information specific to this January 31, 2010 recall has been posted on the Recall page on APFA.org.

SOUTHWEST FLIGHT ATTENDANTS RATIFY CONTRACT

TWU Local 556, representing Southwest Flight Attendants, announced today that they ratified an agreement to update their contract to allow the airline to add a new larger Boeing 737-800 to its fleet and includes a one-year extension of their contract through May 2013.

More can be read here.

SECOND DELTA WORKGROUP REJECT UNION REPRESENTATION

Delta Baggage and Cargo Handlers union representation vote was released yesterday. Of the 13,104 eligible voters, 10,593 cast ballots ñ 5,569, no and 5,024 yes.

The Flight Attendants narrowly voted down union representation earlier this month.

Two more workgroups have ballots in the field: Stock and Stores Workers voting ends November 22, and Passenger Service, including Gate and Ticket Agents ends December 7. Both workgroups are voting to be represented by the International Association of Machinists.

HAPPY HOUR?

American announced this week their 5@5 Happy Hour. The sale will apply on all domestic, Canada, Mexico and Caribbean flights departing between 1700 and 1759.

The company states, “As we wrap up the year, we want to show our customers that we appreciate their business. Offering an in-flight happy hour is our small way of saying thank you. We know travelers have many options for air travel and the 5@5 happy hour enhances the travel experience while adding an element of fun onboard during the holiday travel season.”

Seriously?

How about enhancing the employee experience by saying “thank you” to your Flight Attendants with a contract that recognizes the sacrifices we’ve made since 2003!

JFK RETIREMENT BRIEFING

The next APFA Retirement Briefing will be presented on December 3, 2010 from 13:30-15:30 in the Mark DuPont Room (next to Pilot Operations) at JFK.

APFA Retirement Specialist, Patrick Hancock (IDF) and Jackie Phillips (DFW) conduct these lively and informative briefings. The seminars are open and useful 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 these briefings, print and bring your personal pension estimate and plan calculation formulas from JetNet.

OFFICE CLOSURE

APFA Headquarters will be closed Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25 in observance of Thanksgiving.