1.07.11 – (LAA) – Negotations End without an Agreement, Base Representational Elections, Continental Reaches TA, Recall Update, Human Trafficking

Weekly Hotline for the week ending, Friday, January 7, 2011

YOGI BERRA WAS RIGHT!
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As Yogi Berra once said, “It’s deja vu all over again.”

Negotiations ended this week’s bargaining sessions in Nashville without an agreement. They were able to clean up some loose ends on Article 10, Reserve. The company made proposals on Benefits and some premium/training pay which put some money in one pocket, yet took it from another. Deja vu.

Flight Attendants would still end up making less than they did in 2003.

“It has been almost eight months since our last mediated negotiations and the company has not changed its stance even though the airline’s long-term outlook continues to improve,” APFA President Glading said. “After almost three years without a contract, flight attendants want labor peace and the ability to plan for the future. But the company continues to ignore the sacrifices flight attendants have made and continue to make.”

APFA Negotiators did everything they possibly could to achieve a deal but the company is still unwilling to recognize the value Flight Attendants bring to this company.

The Membership has spoken loudly and we will get there no matter how hard we have to fight. The 96.8 percent of the membership voting YES for strike authorization showed our strength and unity.

APFA’s Negotiating Team has made a promise to the Membership not to bring you a concessionary contract. They stand by that promise.

Larry Gibsons, Director of Mediation Service, will go back to the National Mediation Board Members and they will once again review our case and our request for release into a 30-day cooling off period.

Stay Unified, Stay Strong and Stay Informed.

BASE REPRESENTATIONAL ELECTIONS
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On Thursday, January 6, the National Ballot Committee collected the Notices of Willingness-to-Serve for the positions of Chair, Vice Chair and Operation Council Member at all bases from the designated P.O. Box. Results of those representatives duly elected and the candidates for contested positions are posted on the Elections page of APFA website. Go to National Departments then go to Elections and Balloting. Website login is required.

Ballots for the contested positions at BOS, IOR, LGA and MIA will be mailed January 26, 2011. Polls will close February 25, 2011 by 10:00 a.m. CT. The newly elected Representatives will assume office on April 1, 2011, for a two-year term ending March 31, 2013. Please read the instructions in your ballot packet carefully. Frequently asked questions and answers are available through our ballot service vendor, BallotPoint. Click here to view.

As a reminder you must be dues current by February 18, 2011 in order to vote in this election. If you have any questions concerning your eligibility, please contact the dues department at 817-540-0108 ext. 8154, or email [email protected]. If you have any questions concerning these elections call the National Ballot Committee at APFA headquarters, 817-540-0108 ext. 8311, or email [email protected].

CONTINENTAL REACHES TENTATIVE AGREEMENT

Months after rejecting a previous deal, flight attendants at Continental Airlines have reached a tentative agreement that includes a 2.5% pay raise retroactive to January 1, 2010. Some 9,500 rank-and-file members still must approve the 20-month contract accepted by union negotiators. “The negotiation teams were able to reach a fair agreement that is another positive step forward as we work to combine our companies,” said Sam Risoli, Vice President of Inflight Service at United Airlines, which merged with Continental on October 1, 2010.

FROM THE SCHEDULING DEPARTMENT
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This is a reminder that ANY TIME you talk to crew schedule or crew tracking, please write down the name of the people you speak with. We seem to have gotten out of that habit. Itís very helpful to know dates and times as well. That way, if issues arise, APFA can have the necessary information to research this issue.

RECALL UPDATE

We’d like to remind our recalled members returning to the line that recall information, including a Q and A is available on the Recall page of the APFA website.

Welcome back and we look forward to seeing you on the line!

HUMAN TRAFFICKING – DO YOU KNOW THE SIGNS AND WHAT TO DO?

Human trafficking is the second largest and fasting growing criminal industry in the world! It is expected to shortly overtake drugs as the number one crime worldwide because a drug can be sold once, but a person can be sold repeatedly. According to Texas Attorney General, Greg Abbott, 10,000 cases of human trafficking are expected around this year’s Super Bowl.

In a major public awareness effort around the Super Bowl event, Airline Ambassadors International has partnered with Traffick 911 (click here to visit website) in the coordination of a training session to educate more airline personnel and the local community on how to recognize the signs and what to do if you suspect human trafficking. The training will be held on January 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the DFW airport in the Yancy Conference Center (across from gate C2). Please click here for more information on how to register or visit the APFA website for more details.

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Please remember there are currently 796 members on furlough and awaiting recall. This number includes all recalls as of April 2, 2011.