4.09.11 – (LAA) – Neogtiations Update

Negotiations Update
Saturday April 9, 2011

As APFA President Laura Glading stated in her March 25 Hotline, the National Mediation Board (NMB) has given us every indication there would not be a release anytime soon. And taking this circumstance into consideration, the APFA would meet with the NMB to discuss whether a deal could be reached outside of a cooling-off period. Although there were no formal mediated sessions, the APFA Negotiating Team met this week with the NMB’s Director of Mediated Services and discussed options to reach a deal, while being cognizant of the economic climate of both the industry and the country. An option we presented to the company was a short-term, cash-only deal. We offered an 18-month extension of the current contract with only two items; a 3% wage increase effective January 1, 2010 (retro) and a 3% increase the date of signing, for a 6% total wage increase. All other items would be set aside, or “tabled”, until negotiations picked up again at the end of the 18 months.

Laura Glading said, “This was an offer that was extremely reasonable and fair.† A solution that would give the Flight Attendants some much needed, immediate financial relief, and American labor relief. All other items would be postponed in anticipation of American and the industry making an upturn over the next year and a half. It was good for Flight Attendants and good for American.”

Glading continued, “The company said ‘no’. No to a minimal realistic wage increase for a workgroup in which many are losing their homes, having difficulty paying their bills, and some are on the verge of filing, or have already filed, bankruptcy. They say they recognize Flight Attendants as the face of American, having the most visible and personal contact with customers, yet they will not offer one penny without asking for more concessions. “Concessions on top of the more than $3 billion in sacrifices we’ve already made over the last 8 years.“

These same executives crying that the company is not making a profit and cannot afford a pay increase for the Flight Attendants will shamelessly stuff their pockets with millions in bonuses in just a few short days.

This insatiable greed will be the focus of our picketing and leafleting events on April 20, the day these gluttons once again collect their most undeserved rewards. Every Flight Attendant that is not flying during the hours of 11:00-14:00 local base time needs to be involved in these events. Please contact your local Chairperson to learn how you can participate.

Laura Glading also noted, “With the Company rejecting the offer of an 18-month contract extension with a 6% wage increase, the bargaining position of both APFA and the company remain as they were as of our last†negotiating session on January 6, 2011. The APFA Negotiating Team has worked tirelessly for three years. And so have the Flight Attendants. We will continue to explore all options and will not stop until the Flight Attendants have a contract that recognizes their hard work and sacrifices, and are rewarded for their professionalism and for the value they bring to this company.”

It appears Arpey is looking a lot like the anti-union politicians in Wisconsin, Ohio and other states lashing out at working people and their families. A new video has been posted on our YouTube channel highlighting the similarities between Arpey and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. Take a moment to view and share the video with your e-groups and on your Facebook and Twitter pages. It is time to turn up the heat and for the exposure of this unconscionable greed to go viral!