9.27.13 – (LAA) – DOJ Lawsuit Update, Negotiating Team Base Visits, W-9, Thresholds and Scheduling

APFA Hotline – DOJ Lawsuit Update, Negotiating Team Base Visits, W-9, Thresholds and Scheduling – September 27, 2013

 

Merger News
Over the past week, AA and US have asked the DOJ to produce documents in a motion to compel filed with the court pertaining to the airline mergers that were previously approved. The two airlines also asked the DOJ to identify all the people they interviewed leading up to their decision that brought about this lawsuit as well as what those individuals said.
 
The DOJ, in its response, stated that the information they sought prior to the filing of the lawsuit against this merger is privileged and a work product. AA and US provided a short response and the motions to compel are now in the hands of the court-appointed Special Master Richard Levie. We should receive a response in the next week or so.
 
Please click here for a complete history of the DOJ filing. Below are the most recent news articles pertaining to the merger and antitrust lawsuit:
Growth at Emirates Airlines Shows Need for US Airways/AA Merger (The Street) – 9.27.13
Justice officials: We don’t have to give up names to US Airways, American Airlines (Dallas Morning News) – 9.26.13
EU issues report on why it approved the US Airways-American Airlines merger (Dallas Morning News) – 9.25.13
American Airlines, US Airways discuss decision to extend merger’s fish-or-cut-bait deadline (Dallas Morning News) – 9.25.13
American Airlines, US Airways want names of people interviewed before antitrust lawsuit (Dallas Morning News) – 9.24.13
 
Negotiating Team Base Visits Starting in October
Laura Glading and the new APFA negotiating team, along with APFA representatives and advisors will embark on a systemwide series of roadshows at each base beginning in October. At least once a year, Laura and the negotiating team travel to each of the bases to share information one on one with APFA members. 
 
Click here to watch the YouTube video from Laura announcing the planned visits. The schedule is below. Location information will be published as the dates draw near. Please note: dates are subject to change.
 
DFW—October 22
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
 
RDU—October 28
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
 
STL—October 30
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
 
DCA—October 31
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
 
LAX—November 5
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
 
SFO—November 6
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
 
JFK—November 12
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
 
MIA—November 13
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
 
ORD—November 19
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
 
BOS—November 20
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
 
W-9 and the Equity Claim
There are still about 800 FA who have yet to certify their W-9 form. AA has chosen to extend the deadline for now, however, your W-9 must be completed prior to the distribution of shares (which will not happen until AA exits bankruptcy). This, in order to avoid extra deductions from your equity claim payout.
 
To fill out your W-9, visit www.retireonline.com. If you’ve already completed your W-9 with Computershare, either recently or in connection with a different distribution, there is no need to re-certify since a W-9 does not expire. Visit APFA’s equity claim page for more information.
 
Thresholds: Employment, Sick/Vacation and Health
Due to the likelihood that we may not see a merger between AA and US Airways prior to December 31, 2013, all FAs should be focused on meeting the current thresholds as outlined in the LBFO.
 
Employment Threshold: You must have 420 paid hours (or an average of 35 paid hours per active month) during the 2013 calendar year.   
 
Sick and Vacation: You must have 600 paid hours (or an average of 50 paid hours per active month) during the 2013 calendar year.   
 
Health Benefits: Due to the delay of the merger, the decision has been made not to apply  the July 31, 2013 look back for 2014 Health Benefits. Rather the threshold for benefits will remain the current 420-paid hours (or an average of 35 hours per active month) on a rolling 12-month look-back basis.
 
From the Scheduling Department
If you have questions about Availability, please review the updated AVBL 101 document on the APFA Scheduling page.

Adjacent Base flying continues to be offered at LAX/LAX-I and MIA/IMA. If you have questions about how to proffer for it, click here for detailed  information then scroll down to Adjacent Base.
  AmericanAirlines + US Airways 
“MERGE!”

Leslie Mayo
APFA National Communications Coordinator