4.20.12 – (LAA) – AA Management Will Begin Presenting Their 1113 Case Before Bankruptcy Court

Today is Friday, April 20, 2012. This is Leslie Mayo with a Special APFA Hotline update.

On Monday, April 23, AA management will begin presenting their 1113 case before the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, to obliterate decades of bargaining history with the American Airlines Flight Attendants. Across the street from the courthouse, rain or shine, Flight Attendants, ground workers, hundreds of AA employees both represented and non-represented, and other union members from around the country will converge on downtown New York City to protest the attempted abrogation of our contracts in what is likely to be the largest employee demonstration in our company’s history.

Please know that despite today’s announcement regarding a potential merger with US Airways, the picketing demonstrations will take place. According to every indication American Airlines management has given, their intention is to forge ahead with the 1113 process, which will begin on Monday with opening statements. The demands management is making of our membership are unreasonable and unjustifiable, and these demonstrations will make clear in no uncertain terms that we will not stand for this treatment.

All non-management employees are welcome to join us across from the Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan at One Bowling Green. Check in begins at 8:15 a.m. with remarks by APFA President Laura Glading and International TWU President James C. Little soon thereafter. Once they’ve delivered their message, we will descend on the courthouse for informational picket. The event will be emceed by TWU Local 100 President John Samuelson.

In addition to Monday’s event in New York, APFA and TWU members will also be picketing in uniform at the following airports system wide between 11:00 am and 1:00 p.m. local base time (unless noted). All flight attendants are strongly encouraged to attend. If you are flying that morning, you can show your support for your fellow workgroups by placing a white ribbon behind your union pin and wings while on board the aircraft.

LAX
PSP
SFO
SJC
SMF
DFW (Terminal D – Upper Level)
ORD
STL
RDU
MIA
PBI
FLL
BOS (6:00 a.m. To 10:00 a.m.)
DCA

Sunday Evening – April 22, 2012
“Shed Some Light” – Virtual Candlelight Vigil – We are asking flight attendants to upload a picture of your union pin with a light shining on it whether it’s natural light such as sunlight, light from a window on the airplane, or artificial light such as a match, candle, flashlight, galley light, etc… The photo can include anything else – the flight attendant, a landmark, nothing, whatever you desire. The only requirements are your union pin and light. Send your photos no later than Sunday evening to [email protected] so that we can display them throughout the day Monday, April 23rd.

Monday, April 23, 2012, all day on board the aircraft and at all picketing events:
“Justice for AAmerican Workers” – All FAs attending picketing events, on the aircraft, or otherwise on duty should wear a white ribbon behind their wings.

Monday April 23, 2012, Local picketing events – 11am to 1pm (BOS 6am to 10am):
“Justice for AAmerican Workers”– APFA requests all flight attendants to join the picket line at your base city or in New York at the Bankruptcy Court on the morning of April 23, 2012, if you are not otherwise on duty with American Airlines. Flight attendants are asked to come to the airport in uniform with their union pin and wings against a white ribbon.

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US Airways Announcement

This is APFA President Laura Glading with a Special Hotline Update for Friday morning, April 20, 2012.

The purpose of this address is to provide our members with the most critical facts. As you know, American Airlines management has made several excessive demands of our contract since filing for bankruptcy protection last November. Not only were their demands unreasonable, but their business plan was uninspired and not viable. My fellow union leaders and I had no choice but to evaluate alternatives.

Along with my counterparts at APA and TWU, I was approached by members of the US Airwaysí management team who were interested in discussing a potential merger. Each of us ñ individually ñ came to the conclusion that a merger would be the best plan for our membership and the most successful option for the reorganization of our Company. In the days that followed APFA leadership, supported by our team of professionals, met with representatives from US Airways to hash out the details of how a merger would affect our flight attendants.

This agreement puts flight attendants in a far better position than any proposal American Airlines management has made. Equally important – is the business plan US Airways has put forward, which I strongly believe will bring American Airlines back to profitability and competitiveness. A combined US Airways and American Airlines will eliminate the competitive advantage of Delta and United and making us relatively competitive in both size and network.

After careful consideration, the APFA Board of Directors voted unanimously to sign an agreement in principle with US Airways, knowing that it was in the best interest of the membership.

Of course, this plan is not a perfect solution and we expect there to be bumps in the road, but I am confident that it is the best and most viable option available to us. More information can be found below and we will continue to update as material becomes available. Please check back frequently for the best and most accurate information.

Click here for more information.