5.06.11 – (LAA) – Killing of Osama bin Laden, Negotiations Update, Face your Base Update, Retirement Seminars, SEC Sues over AMR BID

Weekly Hotline
For the week ending Friday May 6, 1011

KILLING OF OSAMA bin LADEN

Sunday brought news that we’ve waited to hear for almost 10 years. Osama bin Laden had been located, captured and killed. Joint Special Operations Command forces working with the CIA carried out the attack. Most thought bin Laden was living remotely in a cave, and were surprised to find out he was living in a compound in well populated, upscale for their standards, Abbottabad, Pakistan. President Obama called the killing the “most significant achievement to date” in the effort to defeat al Qaeda.

Although those that perished on that day are constantly in our thoughts, the news brought the emotions of that day flooding back into our lives – emotions somewhat peppered with celebration at the demise of al Qaeda’s leader. However, we must remain alert and vigilant. Even though the most wanted man in the world has been killed, his followers are many and will most assuredly continue to attempt to carry out his mission.

APFA President Laura Glading commented, “As we all celebrate and feel the affect of this very significant news, we will also reflect on the past and our fallen†heroes from September 11. The pain of the loss of our fellow Flight Attendants, co-workers and all victims is still very palpable. We cannot, however, be lulled into a false sense of security. It may be a time for jubilation but we must continue to be alert and vigilant. And, we must not forget the sacrifice that our service women and men have made, many who made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.”

NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

The APFA Negotiating Team continues to meet internally on item valuations and exploring our options to reach an agreement outside of a cooling off period.†Our stumbling blocks with the company continue to be Scheduling Max, Healthcare and Benefits and, of course, pay. The company still wants to greatly increase our scheduling max and contributions to healthcare, with only minimal improvements to compensation.†We will keep you posted on any and all developments.

FACE OF YOUR BASE – UPDATE

Laura Glading’s comments and request in last week’s hotline regarding the Face of Your Base contest caused quite the media frenzy. Stories ran from across the U.S. to Australia to the U.K. Local DFW stations, NBC and WFAA interviewed Flight Attendants and used the footage as their lead story this week.

Thank you to all who took the time to email your Flight Service Manager ñ your opinions were heard.

Vice President of Flight Service Denise Lynn included in her Update yesterday that they had “received feedback on the campaign from a number of you, some good and some not so good. “And that in order to avoid any misunderstanding we’re going to revisit our approach to this effort.”

So, for now, it appears that the contest portion of this campaign has been canceled.

Thank you, Ms. Lynn.† Now there’s one more thing.

HERE IS WHAT WE NEED YOU TO DO

Recently AA Vice President of Flight Service Denise Lynn distributed in every Flight Attendant mailbox a two-page missive detailing AA’s new boarding procedures that began this week.

In the letter Denise states, “Here are the things I need you to do to make the new boarding process a success.”

APFA has been in negotiations with AA management for almost three years and here’s what WE need AA to do: Bargain in good faith and provide your Flight Attendants with the contract they deserve!

We ask that each of you return the letter to her with “HERE IS WHAT WE NEED YOU TO DO – PROVIDE YOUR FLIGHT ATTENDANTS WITH THE CONTRACT THEY DESERVE” written across it:

Denise Lynn, Vice President Flight Service
American Airlines
P.O. Box 619616, Mail Drop 4290
DFW Airport, TX 75261-9616

Already tossed the letter? A copy stamped with our message can be downloaded and printed at www.APFA.org or by clicking here.

RETIREMENT SEMINARS

Here is a list of upcoming Retirement Seminars:

SFO – May 9 from 1030-1330 – Conference Room A, above the United Airlines ticket counter, outside security, in our old terminal
ORD – May 25 from 1400-1600 – K19 Lower Level Conference Room
ORD – May 25 from 1800-2000 – Outside security, West Conference Room, Mezzanine Level

APFA Retirement Specialist, Patrick Hancock (IDF) conducts 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.

SEC SUES OVER AMR BID

You may remember a story we mentioned in the 01APR11 Hotline about a mysterious offer from an investment firm, Sterling Global Holdings, to buy all of AMRís stock for $3.25 billion. Although there was much media coverage about the offer, there was no evidence it was legitimate.

The Associated Press (AP) reports that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has sued the head of the now inactive firm, Allen E. Weintraub.† The SEC lawsuit contends Weintraub lacks the means to complete the offer and the he has been convicted of past fraud charges and has yet to pay a previous SEC judgment of more than $1 million.

Mr. Weintraub has not commented and the AP says there is no lawyer listed in court records.

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Please remember there are currently 594 members on furlough and awaiting recall. This number includes all recalls as of July 1, 2011.
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