2.07.12 – (LAA) – Overage Leaves, Modified Partnership Flying, 5 and 10 year Travel Seperation Program

Tuesday February 7, 2012

FROM THE CONTRACT DEPARTMENT
[email protected]

As reported earlier the company currently has an overage of 500 Flight Attendants. Unfortunately, as a result the company will be noticing the 500 most junior Flight Attendants that they are subject to furlough effective April 1, 2012.†Voluntary options are now open to help mitigate the overage that will include:

Overage Leaves
Modified Partnership Flying
5 and 10 Year Travel Separation Program

Overage Leaves will be available for the 12-month period of April 2012 through March 2013. Those currently on Overage Leaves or PLOAs scheduled to end on either March 31 or April 30 are eligible to bid for the full year leave.†In addition, shorter leave options (Auxiliary Blocks) will also be available.†The ballot to proffer for the Overage Leaves is available on the Flight Service website.† Please be sure to review the Q&A associated with the Overage Leaves. This information will also be posted to the Reduction in Force page of APFA.org tomorrow. It is important to note that during the Overage Leave you continue to accrue Occupational (Bidding) Seniority and retain travel privileges, which include D1, Other Airline and D3 travel.

For those interested in Modified Partnership Flying, keep in mind that you do not need to find a partner.†Modified Partnership follows the rules of Part-time flying, which existed prior to 2003. Modified Partnership Flying will be available for the months of April, May and June. Please be sure to review the Q&A associated with Modified Partnership Flying as well as the Attachment, which outlines the rules associated with Modified Partnership Flying.

Also available will be a proffer for 5 year and 10 year Voluntary Travel Separation Program.†To proffer for this option, please go to the People Reduction Information link on the Policies and Procedures section of Jetnet.

Those Flight Attendants who are subject to furlough may proffer for an Overage Leave and/or Modified Partnership Flying, or the Travel Separation Program. Overage Leaves and Modified Partnership flying ballots for those subject to furlough will be based on the number of Overage Leaves, Modified Partnership Flying and Travel Separation Packages awarded to those not originally subject to the furlough.

Overage Leave and Modified Partnership Flying proffers will close on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 0830 Central Time.†5 and 10 year Travel Separation Program will also close at 0900 on Wednesday February 22, 2012.

Should you have any questions about these options, please contact the APFA Contract/Scheduling Department at ext. 8161 or send an email to [email protected].

BANKRUPTCY UPDATE

After last week’s proposal from the company, and subsequent cost-out meetings, APFA continues to gather information about the company’s business plan and proposal both through our written information request as well as in meetings with AA. That effort will continue this week.†We will meet with the NMB Thursday morning to go over protocol and then with the company in the afternoon as we continue our efforts to gather information, and in particular on Friday as the company will present information concerning pensions and benefits.

We continue to receive questions regarding the 1113 process. Although the company did present a ridiculously insulting proposal last week, the Bankruptcy Code does not impose any timetable for the negotiations that will now follow. It is not until the company determines that further bargaining would be futile and files a Section 1113 motion with the court for authority to reject the collective bargaining agreement that the Bankruptcy Code provides for any time limits. The first deadline is that the Court has to schedule a hearing on the motion within 14-21 days after the motion is filed or longer if the parties agree. In addition the court is required to make a decision on the Section 1113 motion within thirty days from the start of the hearing. This deadline can also be extended if the parties agree. It is important to note that Jeff Brundage said in an interview last week, “Once American files the 1113 petitions, the process could last five to six months.”

Please understand that the APFA will not accept the term sheet presented to us last week and you can be sure that we are not going to take this laying down. There is still much work to do to ensure the best outcome.

Additional updates will be sent via this Hotline and posted on APFA.org.

FROM THE BALLOT COMMITTEE
[email protected]

The National Officer Run-off election ballots were mailed on January 26, 2012 and votes must be cast by 10:00 CT on February 24, 2012.

You must be dues current by 5:00 p.m. CST on February 21, 2012, and any dues promissory note/payment plan must have been active by January 26, 2012 in order to have your vote counted for the APFA National Officer Run-Off election ballot count on February 24, 2012.

To access the APFA BallotPoint Voting System by phone, call 1-800-698-3789 or 1-503-419-1145 or online at https://www.ballotpoint.com/apfa.

For questions concerning the Elections and Balloting, or to obtain a duplicate ballot, contact the Ballot Committee at 817.540.0108 x8311 or via e-mail at [email protected].

APFA PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

Last month APFA sponsored the Presidential Debate between Liz Geiss and Laura Glading. †APFA members may view the debate, in its entirety, by logging on to APFA.org.

BOD – EC MEETING

A special APFA Board of Directors Meeting will be held on Tuesday February 14, 2012 at the Holiday Inn DFW South beginning at 0900. The 2011 Fourth Quarter Meeting of the APFA Executive Committee will convene following the Board of Directors meeting at the same location. Time to be determined. Members in good standing are welcome to attend.