9.23.11 – (LAA) – Negotiations Update, PLOA, Sky Ball, Government Affairs Update, RDUI and STL WTS, Mexico Layover Safety, SFO Retirement Briefing

APFA Weekly Hotline Update

for the week ending Friday September 23, 2011

NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE
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APFA is aware of the rumors and published reports related to AMR’s financial outlook. Be assured that your leadership is preparing for every possible outcome no matter how remote.

We will continue to monitor the situation and remain in close contact with our counterparts at TWU and APA, our attorneys and financial experts, as well as with management and the National Mediation Board, which we anticipate will turn its attention to continuing negotiations with the other unions immediately following a resolution with the APA.

APFA are willing and prepared to return to the bargaining table immediately provided the company presents an agreement that recognizes the hard work and dedication the Flight Attendants have made and continue to make.

PLOA
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The company posted a six-month Personal Leave of Absence (PLOA) proffer for the months of November 2011 – through April 2012.†The PLOA web ballot can be found on the Flight Service website and will close on Thursday September 29, 2011 at 10:00CT.

Keep in mind this proffer is 182 days in length and would result in a two-day adjustment to Occupational (Bidding) Seniority if you take this proffer. You will find the current Occupational Seniority list posted on the Contract Department page on APFA.org. You can view your seniority date along with those near you on the list to see what, if any, impact a two-day adjustment would have on your relative seniority.

Also note that if you held a Bid Leave for October that includes 31OCT11 and subsequently hold the six-month PLOA, these leaves will be considered consecutive and the total time in excess of 180 days will be part of your Occupational Seniority adjustment. Your Company Seniority will accrue for the first 90 days of a Leave of Absence (or consecutive leaves).

Additional information can be found in the Q&A Document on JetNet.

SKY BALL

It’s that time of year again when we roll up our sleeves and open our hearts to help our brave men and women in uniform. Sky Ball is just around the corner and preparations are in full swing. This will mark the 9th annual event and this year is shaping up to be the best ever as we celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Medal of Honor and the 100th Anniversary of Marine & Naval Aviation.

For those that are not familiar with Sky Ball, it’s an annual fundraiser to support a number of military/veterans organizations.

Over the past four years Sky Ball has raised more than $1.5 million dollars. This has allowed the Fort Worth Airpower Foundation (FWAPF) to contribute to projects that directly support members of all branches of U.S. military and their families through various contingency funds at the Naval Air Station, Fort Worth, Joint Reserve Base and other programs.

Sky Ball IX proceeds also go to:

• Heroes on the Water, helping veterans heal through fellowship and fishing
• Freedom Flight, taking heroes of the Greatest Generation, our WWII Veterans, to visit their Memorial in Washington D.C.
• Wounded Warriors Veteran’s Day Weekend in Las Vegas
• Snowball Express, helping children of our fallen military heal and make new memories.
• Many other programs and causes in direct support of military families

For more information on the event, please visit the website at: skyballinfo.com

If you or someone you know is, interested in volunteering for this worthwhile event, there are many volunteer opportunities available from Wednesday, 10/19/11 through Sunday 10/23/11, so please keep these dates open on your calendar and sign up at: skyballvolunteer.com – family and friends are welcome to participate too!

Regardless of the time you have available, there is a place where you can help make a difference.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE
by Government Affairs Representative Julie Frederick
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This week, APFA President Laura Glading and I were in DCA as Secretary Ray LaHood convened the first semiannual labor/workforce conference as part of the recommendations that came out of the Future of Aviation Advisory Committee.

• ALPA, APA, AFA-CWA, APFA, and†TWU were all in attendance along with the NMB. Management from AA, Southwest, Republic Airlines, to name a few, were in attendance as well.
• Air Traffic Controllers President Paul†Rinaldi and FAA Adm. Randy Babbitt led a discussion on creating a new model for labor/management relations and the urgency to do so given the economic challenges the aviation industry has faced since deregulation and 9/11.
• While in Washington, we took the opportunity to visit several Congressional offices including key aviation Senate and House Committees.
• Flight Attendant inclusion in the Known Crewmember program, upcoming Flight Attendant fatigue legislation, OSHA/FAA cabin oversight, and the FAA Reauthorization bill were all discussed.
• After the disastrous partial FAA shutdown in August, it now appears that both sides of the aisle understand the necessity to get long-term passage of an FAA Bill, critical to the stabilization in our industry. Stay tuned!

Are you a member of the APFA PAC?

All current APFA PAC members will be receiving a luggage gripper to use and display your support of our efforts to monitor and influence legislation that is of critical importance to our profession. “Join the APFA PAC. I did!”

You may begin your contribution with any amount and the amount may be increased or decreased at any time by completing the payroll contribution form.

RDU-I – STL WTS
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If you are interested in further serving your union, Willingness to Serve Notifications (WTS) for the positions of RDU-I Vice Chairperson and STL Vice Chairperson are available on the Elections and Balloting Page of APFA.org.

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

MEXICO
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The Safety and Security Department, Hotel Department and some Local APFA Base Reps have received inquiries regarding the layovers in various cities in Mexico. †We continue to monitor the activities in this country and continue to work with the company in trying to keep the layover lengths at a minimum. As always, be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious behavior to both the company and APFA.

SFO RETIREMENT BRIEFING
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APFA Retirement Specialist Patrick Hancock will be hosting a retirement briefing in SFO on Monday September 26 from 1100-1300 in Conference Room A, Terminal 1, Mezzanine Level, above the Delta Airlines ticket counter.

The seminar is 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.

THANK YOU

Dear APFA,

Thank you for sponsoring the North Texas Wounded Warrior Charity Golf Tournament. The event was held on Saturday, September 17th and was a huge success. We had wonderful weather and a†turnout of over 80 golfers and guests. We raised over $9000 for Salute Military Golf Association, the wounded warrior charity that we supported.†We†were also able to donate a complete set of new clubs to SMGA. Two more club donation are “in the works.”

Without question, the most rewarding aspect of this†endeavor was our time with Denis, Brian, Chris, and Matt, the SMGA-trained wounded warrior golfers†that†we hosted for the weekend. In addition to the Saturday tournament, we hosted these men, two with recent amputations, to recreational activities in our area. On Friday, Denis and Chris played a practice round at Iron Horse and Brian (a huge Cowboys fan) was given a VIP tour of Cowboys Stadium. On Sunday, Chris and Denis went kayak fishing with Heroes on the Water. Brian took a helicopter tour with Longhorn helicopters and was able to fly over Cowboys Stadium. Brian also hooked up with one of our golfers who is going to host him for a Cowboys game later this year. Matt’s time with us was short. He was only able to participate in the tournament, but he still had a enjoyable weekend.

It was a great†experience for our organization and volunteers. In addition to raising awareness and financial support for SMGA, we were able to provide a rehabilitative and†therapeutic experience to four wounded warriors and further their recovery from combat-related injuries.

Again, thanks for your sponsorship. With your help, we are making a difference in the lives of our nation’s heroes.

Glenn Rosenberger
President, North Texas Wounded Warrior Golf Association

Matt Rosenberger
Tournament Chairman, North Texas Wounded Warrior Golf Association

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Please remember there are currently 218 members on the furlough and awaiting recall.
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