6.28.13 – (LAA) – AM/PM Details, Drug Testing Wait Time Language, Updated Order of Open Time Chart

 

APFA Hotline – June 28, 2013

AM/PM Details, Drug Testing Wait Time Language, Updated Order of Open Time Chart

 

Drug Testing Wait-Time Language
We are pleased to announce that APFA and AA have agreed to language for drug testing wait-time when a flight attendant reports for a random drug/alcohol test. This language formalizes a policy that minimizes the time a flight attendant is required to wait when a tester fails to show up for a test and releases the flight attendant from any disciplinary repercussions for leaving the testing site after waiting 45 minutes and following agreed-upon procedures. Specific procedures will be posted next week.

AM/PM Info, Sample Ballot and Q&As
As we announced earlier this week, AM/PM is set to begin on Tuesday, July 2nd (the beginning of the contractual month of July) for Reserves at the following four bases: LGA, DCA, IDF and LAX-I. Daily ballots are to be submitted for next-day coverage. For example, if you wish to submit a bid for AM/PM on July 2nd, you will submit your ballot on July 1st, and so on. These awards will be processed manually until the computers are programmed to accommodate this new procedure system wide. Once APFA is certain the process is working for these four bases, the procedure will expand to the remaining bases, which we anticipate to occur before Fall 2013. The following documents have been uploaded to www.apfa.org for your reference. Click here, then scroll to Reserve and click on the appropriate link:

AM/PM Info
AM/PM Sample Ballot
AM/PM Q&As

A special thanks to the following FAs for their relentless efforts in getting this procedure in place and the pertinent information prepared for the membership: APFA Scheduling Coordinator Clinton Breen, Jaimie McNeice, SFO-D and Kelli Harrington, LAX-I.

New Order of Open Time Chart – June 29, 2013
APFA has uploaded a new chart to assist FAs with day-before-coverage and the order of open time. It has been updated to reflect AM/PM bids.

Supreme Court Decision
Since the Supreme Court’s decision regarding marriage equality was announced earlier this week, we have received inquiries from FAs about the potential process going forward. Since this decision is fresh off the SC docket, the details have yet to be worked out even on a national level. AA is among thousands of companies who will be working to incorporate the changes, and many questions remain unanswered. APFA will stay on top of these developments so that each of our members can enjoy equitable federal benefits as soon as they are available.

508 AA Flight Attendants
Over the past week, APFA’s Contract, Scheduling, Retirement, EAP, Communications, Safety, Cabin ASAP and Health departments have helped more than 500 individual AA Flight Attendants who either called or emailed APFA Headquarters with questions. If you have questions about any of the above topics, you can email the departments individually, or call (817) 540-0108 and follow the prompts.

NO MORE LBFO ONCE WE EXIT BANKRUPTCY

Here’s a quick review of where we came from and where we are headed:

*PAST*
November 29, 2011 – AMR filed for bankruptcy
February 1, 2012 – AMR introduced the Section 1113 contractual cuts it was seeking on all three AA labor groups
July 20, 2012 – APFA Executive Committee votes to send LBFO to membership for ratification as part of merger strategy
August 19, 2012 – APFA membership ratifies LBFO, paving way for merger deal
October 1, 2012 – LBFO goes into effect
February 14, 2013 – AA/US Airways merger announced

*FUTURE*
3Q 2013 – AMR is expected to exit bankruptcy. This means that the AA Flight Attendants will have lived under bankruptcy cuts for approximately one year (10/1/12 LBFO to Fall 2013 BK exit).
3Q 2013 (Post-BK) – AA Flight Attendants begin working under the Bridge Agreement APFA negotiated with US Airways last Spring. Read the items that will begin to be restored once we exit.br> 2014 – Bargaining for an industry contract begins once single-carrier petition is granted.

AmericanAirlines + US Airways 
“On Our Way”

Leslie Mayo
APFA National Communications Coordinator