3.23.12 – (LAA) – Negotiations update, Updated Term Sheet, UHC Claims update, UA Non-Rev Listing Update, National Coordinator Announcement, Professional Standards

For the week ending Friday, March 23, 2012

We know everyone is feeling angry and frustrated by the Company’s complete lack of respect for Flight Attendants both before and during the bankruptcy process.† Despite our anger and†frustration, it is vitally important that we all continue to maintain our incredible professionalism on the job.† We simply cannot take out our frustration and anger by engaging in any†action that would interfere with or disrupt the Company’s operations. Organizing or participating in any such effort would be unlawful. To be clear, APFA does not and will not endorse, condone, support or encourage any activity by any Flight Attendant that disrupts or interferes with the Companyís operations. We assure you that APFA will continue to do all we can legally to protect our†careers.

NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE
[email protected]

On Thursday AMR’s attorneys announced that the Company will file a Section 1113 motion next week unless substantial progress is made in negotiations over the next few days.

Section 1113 of the Bankruptcy Code allows the debtor (AMR) to petition the court to scrap the existing collective bargaining agreements with its workforce. Once the debtor files the Section 1113 motion with the court, a hearing will be scheduled to begin on an expedited basis, as early as within 14 days of the filing date unless the parties mutually agree to a later date or the judge determines an extension is necessary based on the caseís particulars. Following the hearing, the bankruptcy judge will make a determination within 30 days. Discussions between the Company and the Unions may continue in an effort to reach an agreement prior to the judge’s ruling. No schedule has yet been set by the Court for its consideration of the anticipated motions.

The APFA is disappointed that the Company believes negotiations are stalled to the point that this drastic action is necessary. Time and time again we have proven to the Company that the cost of our CBA has converged with those of our peers. In fact, after years of improving the Flight Attendants terms of employment, the average of our competitors’ CBAs will soon be far more expensive than American’s contract. Nonetheless, in an extraordinary effort to reach a consensual agreement, APFA proposed substantial savings to specific areas where American is not in line with its competitors. Management’s response was to repeat its mantra: ì”f it’s not $230 million in annual savings, we’re not interested.”

Apparently, American has no interest in achieving a constructive relationship with labor, based on trust and respect. Instead, it is perpetuating its long-standing practice of preferring contention over consensus. That is truly regrettable.

The prospective 1113 filing has caused members to ask if the judge grants the company’s 1113 motion, whether salary and work rules can be changed retroactively. The answer is no. If the judge grants the motion, he authorizes the company to reject the contract and usually to implement its 1113 proposal or its last offer, depending on the case. Changes may not happen immediately across the board, and in any event changes can be prospective only.Whether and at what pace to implement changes would be at the company’s discretion if the motion is granted.

UPDATED TERM SHEET
www.www.apfa.org

An updated version of the Term Sheet has been placed on www.apfa.org. This version incorporates all changes that the company has made to date.

UHC CLAIMS UPDATE
[email protected]

APFA has been informed that Berdon Claims, the administrator of the UHC lawsuit, is in the process of sending out checks to claimants. Please note that the checks are smaller than was originally anticipated due to a larger number of claimants than was expected.

SCHEDULING DEPARTMENT
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As a reminder, due to tight coverage Crew Schedule is utilizing step 4 of the order of open time coverage.† If first party contact is established you will be obligated to fly the assigned sequence.

Art 9.L and I-9.L

4. Flight Attendants who are available and low on time, in reverse order of seniority, provided, however, there is no conflict with another flying assignment or a scheduled duty-free period.

UA NON-REV LISTING UPDATE
[email protected]

Earlier this week United informed American they instituted a new interim procedure for listing for reciprocal cabin seat travel. This procedure is posted under the United reciprocal agreement which can be found on the Reciprocal Agreements page of the Membersí Resources section of the APFA website. Based on the feedback we are receiving these interim procedures appear to be working. United is still working towards the final procedure for listing associated with their new reservation system. Please continue to watch your HI6 messages and the Reciprocal Agreement page for updates.

Online listing and kiosk check-in is likely to become the industry norm for all types of interline non-rev travel as carriers continue to cut staff in Reservations and at the airports and push as many transactions as possible to machines.† AA actually began advance online listings for other airline non-rev travel on AA including reciprocal cabin seat travel on AA last March.
†
NATIONAL COORDINATORS
[email protected]

APFA President Laura Glading will nominate individuals for the six National Coordinator positions: Communications, Contract, Health, Hotel, Safety/Security and Scheduling. Those nominations will be submitted to the APFA Executive Committee for confirmation at the meeting it will hold on April 11, 2012. All resumes must be received by 5:00 pm CT on April 2, 2012 for consideration.

If you wish to be considered for any of these positions please refer to information regarding eligibility, job responsibilities and duration of appointments that can be found in Article IX of the APFA Constitution and Section 13 of the APFA Policy Manual. Both of these documents can be found on the APFA website.

For consideration, please email your resume to APFA Secretary Denise Pointer at [email protected] or send it via mail to:
APFA
Attn: Denise Pointer
1004 West Euless Blvd.
Euless, TX 76040

DIVISION REPRESENTATIVES
[email protected]

APFA Vice President Elect Marcus Gluth will nominate individuals for the five Division Representative positions. Those nominations will be submitted to the APFA Executive Committee for confirmation at the meeting it will hold on April 11, 2012. All resumes must be received by 5:00 pm CT on April 2, 2012 for consideration.

If you wish to be considered for any of these positions please refer to information regarding eligibility, job responsibilities and duration of appointments that can be found in Article IX of the APFA Constitution and Section 9 of the APFA Policy Manual. Both of these documents can be found on the APFA website.

For consideration, please email your resume to APFA Secretary Denise Pointer at [email protected] or send it via mail to:
APFA
Attn: Denise Pointer
1004 West Euless Blvd.
Euless, TX 76040

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

Professional Standards is a program in which Flight Attendants can address issues they may be having with another AA employee prior to reports being sent to management.

APFA Professional Standards Representatives are available at every base. These Representatives are trained to deal with every situation, including Rule 32 issues, and have the ability to assist in the resolution of conflicts between employees without involvement from the company.

Once the company has been notified of a situation, they must investigate. Often times this includes investigating the employee filing the complaint as well.

If you feel that an issue needs to be addressed, please first contact your local Professional Standards Representative. A list of each Baseís Council can be found on the Base Pages on www.apfa.org. If a Professional Standards Representative is not listed on your Base Council, contact your Base Chairperson for assistance.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS TRAINING
www.airlineamb.org

Airline Ambassadors International (AAI) will provide two training classes to provide common indicators of possible victims and how to play a role in stopping human trafficking on commercial airlines.

The training is a 90-minutes and is free to the airline/airport community. This training is open to all industry personnel and travelers.

Training will take place at DCA on March 29, 2012 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm ET in Terminal A, Conference Room M120.

For more information or to RSVP email [email protected].

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Please remember there are currently 217 Members on furlough and awaiting recall.
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