8.26.11 – (LAA) – APFA State of the Union, Hurricane Irene, WTS for RDUI VC and STL VC, 9/11 Memorial Activities, WARR 2011, Wounded Warrior Chairty Golf Tournament, Verizon Ends Strike, ALSA, Worst Governor Ever, Retirement Briefings

APFA Weekly Hotline Update

for the week ending Friday August 26, 2011

STATE OF THE UNION

APFA President Laura Glading wrapped up the State of the Union Base Visits this week with a return to ORD and DFW. She along with members of the Negotiating Team and other Representatives spoke candidly about our union’s past present and future.

Flight Attendants left the meetings well informed and feeling confident in the leadership and the direction of APFA.† Many topics were discussed, including an update on negotiations, our legislative efforts in Washington and the importance of every member being involved.

“There was a time when voting in union elections and being a member in good standing was the most we asked of the Flight Attendants,” said APFA President Laura Glading. “That is just not enough anymore. Labor is under attack in this country and everyone must play a roll to secure our future.

“Staying informed and participating on some level in our Legislative efforts will be crucial in the comings months. Participating in the APFA PAC and keeping tabs on, and communicating with, your Congressmen will help tremendously.”

We did not record, and will not post, videos of these meetings due to the confidential information discussed during this round of Base Visits. If you attended one of the meetings, please share the information with your coworkers. If you were flying or otherwise unable to attend a meeting, please check in with your local base leadership for an update.

A Skyword Express is currently in production and will be mailed to all Flight Attendants in the coming weeks.

IRENE and MIC

With hurricane Irene barreling toward the east coast, it’s a good time to refresh your knowledge of our Misconnection-Illegality-Cancellation (MIC) Language in our contract. The language can be found on pages 20-22 of the On Duty Contract Guide. A PDF version of the Guide is available on the APFA.org site or by clicking here.

WTS

The Willingness to Serve Notification (WTS) for the positions of RDU-I Vice Chairperson and STL Vice Chairperson were mailed yesterday.† The WTS document will also be posted on the Elections and Balloting Page of APFA.org on Monday.

The elections are open to all members in good standing. Each candidate for Vice Chairperson must be a member in good standing by 0900 CT on September 28, 2011 and must be based at the base to which she/he is applying by October 18, 2011

If you are interested in further serving your union, the forms must be received in the designated P.O. Box by 10:00 a.m. Central Time on September 28, 2011.

9/11 MEMORIAL ACTIVITIES

On Sunday, September 11th the 9/11 Memorial Foundation in conjunction with APFA, APA, the Grapevine Fire and Police Departments and the Lake Grapevine Runners and Walkers Club will host memorial activities.

The day will commence at 0730 with the lowering of the flag and will finalize at 1930 with a remembrance program.

The events will take place at the 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial Site located at 1000 Texan Trail and Northwest Highway, Grapevine, Texas 76051.

If you know of any 9/11 events taking place in your area please send them to us at [email protected] for inclusion on the APFA website. This list of events being held around the country will be posted early next week.

AMR will conduct a Memorial Ceremony at the Flight Academy on September 11 at 07:30 a.m.

WARR 2011

The 30th Annual World Airline Road Race (WARR) 2011 will be held in Grapevine, Texas on Sunday September 11, 2011 hosted by the American Airlines Running Club.

This year’s race will benefit the 9-11 Memorial Foundation Texas & Search One Rescue Team. Events include a 10K, 5K, 1 Mile Remembrance Run/Dog Walk and several social activities scheduled throughout the weekend.

For additional information and to register or volunteer, visit http://www.warrgrapevine2011.com/.

WOUNDED WARRIOR CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

The Wounded Warrior Charity Golf Tournament will be held on September 17th at Iron Horse Golf Course in North Richland Hills, Texas. This inaugural event will benefit the Salute Military Golf Association (SMGA) that provides rehabilitative golf experiences for combat-wounded veterans.

If you would like to take place in this event please click here for more information and a registration form.

DFW FO Glenn Rosenberger and his son Matt established this event.

VERIZON ENDS STRIKE

Workers at Verizon ended their strike on Tuesday.† The strike began on August 7, after talks broke down when the company refused to move from a long list of concession demands amounting to $1 billion a year – roughly $20,000 for every worker.

Union leaders are calling off the strike because Verizon management has agreed to engage in serious bargaining. The Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) said in a statement, “We appreciate the unity of our members and the support of so many in the greater community. Now we will focus on bargaining fairly and moving forward.”

ALSA

This week in 1945, five Stewardesses from United Airlines formed the Air Line Stewardesses Association, the first labor union representing Flight Attendants. They were reacting to an industry in which women were forced to retire at the age of 32, remain single, and adhere to strict weight, height and appearance requirements.

WORST GOVERNOR EVER

The TWU has created a website accepting votes for the Worst Governor Ever. Some candidates on the ballot include Wisconsin’s Scott Walker, New Jersey’s Chris Christie and Texas’ own Rick Perry – also listed are the Governors’ “achievements”.

Currently Florida Governor Rick Scott is in 1st place.

Log on to www.WorstGovernorEver.com to cast your vote.

UPCOMING RETIREMENT BRIEFINGS

APFA Retirement Specialist Patrick Hancock will be hosting retirement briefings on the following dates:

JFK

September 20, 1200-1400
JFK Conference Room (formerly named Mark Dupont Conference Room)

LGA

September 21, 1200-1400
Location TBD

SFO

September 26, 1000-1200
Location TBD

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.

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Please remember there are currently 219 members on furlough and awaiting recall.
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