5.04.12 – (LAA) – Open Letter to AMR Board of Directors

This is Leslie Mayo with the APFA Hotline for Friday, May 4, 2012.

Open Letter to AMR Board of Directors in Wall Street Journal, Dallas Morning News and the Ft. Worth Star Telegram
This morning, APFA along with TWU and APA took out an ad in the Wall Street Journal, Dallas Morning News and Ft. Worth Star Telegram that contained an Open Letter to AMR’s Board. The letter addresses the lack of vision or viability in AMRís reorganization plan as well as the three Unionís support of a merger with US Airways. A copy of the ad can be downloaded from the APFA website.

“No Confidence Petition” in AA Management’s Business Plan
Yesterday, APFA President Laura Glading emailed a letter to all flight attendants asking members to sign a petition declaring “No Confidence” in AA Management’s Business Plan. If you haven’t received the email please visit www.apfa.org and click on the Petition link.

March to AMR HDQ
The flight attendants and pilots will be marching from APA Headquarters to AMR on May 11, 2012, led by the two union presidents who will be hand delivering the tw o petitions of “No Confidence” signed by their respective workgroups to senior management. We will gather at APA Headquarters on Trinity Blvd in Dallas, Ft. Worth between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. in full uniform. At 9:30 we will hear speeches by APFA President Glading and APA President Bates. Then we will proceed on a course for AMR Headquarters, returning to APA by approximately 11:15 a.m. More details will be made available next week, but if you plan to be in Dallas on Friday morning, please com join us!

Support the Merge
APFA asks all members to engage in our legislative action – CapWiz online to urge your elected Congressional Reps to support a merger with US Airways. You have the choice of sending an email or making a phone call. Talking points accompany CapWiz so you can address your Representatives with confidence.

Definition of Senior Management Retirements = Consulting?
AA announced this week the departure of several “top-level” managers. Next week we anticipate some more announcements as they work their way down the food chain. This is part of AA’s plan to appear to reduce management, however, it is very likely that many of these people are still stumbling around AMR Headquarters in a consulting capacity receiving a hefty paycheck.

Right to Union Representation
Last week, we mentioned that if you need to speak with management, it is important that you request a union rep to accompany you. If one isn’t available, the manager should be asked to wait until a representative arrives. This applies to any type of meeting between flight attendants and management.

Agents Try To Unionize – AMR Throws A Wrench
AMR is fighting the Customer Service Agents’ potential vote for union representation by filing a complaint in court to try to stop it. Judge Lane is expected to respond to the CWA’s request that AMR not be allowed to implement any changes in pay, benefits or working conditions as part of its bankruptcy cuts.

From the APFA Contract Department:
All Fas with Recurrent Training in May be aware that if you havenít signed up for a class yet, do so ASAP. Most of the remaining vacancies are for the coming week. If you wait too long, you may find yourself unable to attend. The FAA actually prohibits AA from overbooking classes. If you aren’t able to schedule yourself in a class you will be required to either attend during your grace month, or losing your quals and unable to bid for June.

From the APFA Scheduling Department:
APFAís Scheduling page index.php?&view=category&id=103/ has been updated with some important information addressing RL or RP FAs with AVBL days being released. Click on the topic: “When can I be released from my AVBL days?” for details.

From the APFA Safety Department:
The FAA has increased Flight Attendant Manual Field Audits. These inspectors can ask to see your manual at the gate or inflight. As you know, all Fas are required to meet manual compliance when performing duties as a crewmember.

Flight Attendants can expect to encounter an FAA Inspector conducting audits either in flight or at the departure/arrival gate.
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When encountering a safety inspector, please verify her/his credentials and request a business card. If one is not available, write down the inspector’s name and badge number. Please submit an AMR Event Report at the end of your sequence. If the inspector feels you are in violation of an updated manual, fill out a report with the Cabin ASAP Program. The most recent Bulletin is #3 and Revision is #83.
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From APFA’s EAP Desk:
Living through the bankruptcy process isn’t easy but getting help can be. Since the company’s bankruptcy announcement we have seen an increase in sick calls and FA health problems on the job. Personal, financial and work-related stress can take a toll on both emotional well-being and physical health. The representatives who monitor APFA’s EAP desk are licensed mental health professionals as well as AA flight attendants. These reps are able to guide FAs in coping with stress and can assist FAs in finding a mental health professional nearby. The desk also handles professional standards concerns so that employees can help their co-workers confidentially. Make a confidential call to APFA’s EAP desk today. The number is 817-540-0108 ext. 8701.

Thank you for calling the APFA Hotline.