11.22.13b – (LAA) – Equity Claim, Merger News: Tunney Act/Bankruptcy Court Approval, CLA Implementation Schedule, Seniority Integration, FCC Cell Phone Usage, Representation Facts, FACT Reps

APFA Hotline

November 22, 2013

 

• Equity Claim
• Merger News: Tunney Act/Bankruptcy Court Approval
• Conditional Labor Agreement (CLA) Implementation Schedule
• Seniority Integration
• FCC Cell Phone Usage
• Representation Facts
• APFA FACT Reps

 

Equity Claim
The first disbursement of our equity claim is drawing near and is anticipated to take place in December. We expect AA to emerge from bankruptcy sometime in the first two weeks of December. The following day, we will receive the first portion of our equity in the new American. There are still a small number of Flight Attendants who have not yet filled our a W-9 form. If you fail to fill out a W-9 you could face additional withholding taxes. Please refer to the informational web site related to APFA’s equity claim operated by the BMC Group at: apfaequity.creditorinfo.com.

Merger News: The Tunney Act and Bankruptcy Court Approval
You may have seen some news reports today speculating on when our merger might close. Those reports follow an order earlier this week by Judge Kollar-Kotelly who was to hear the DOJ case. Her order initiates what is called the “Tunney Act process” which is employed in all DOJ merger litigation settlements and merely provides public notice of the settlement and comment period of 60 days following the resolution of the case. You may see some ads in the future in the legal sections in Washington, Dallas and Phoenix newspapers about the comment period – and those are normal for this process.
 
There is nothing in the Tunney Act process that precludes the merger from closing.  To the contrary, an earlier order of Judge Kollar-Kotelly, also typical of order entered in other DOJ merger litigation settlements,  allows us to close the merger. AA is now free to close once it obtains bankruptcy court and certain other approvals. Judge Lane will convene court on Monday, November 25 and if he issues a ruling approving the settlement and the POR we will send information to you as soon as possible. AA expects to close the merger in December, 2013.

CLA Implementation Schedule
Soon we will see the first step in improvements associated with our strategy to help create a more stable, competitive and prosperous company.  While the merger date is not certain it is now widely expected to take place in early to mid-December.  Provided that timeline stays firm here is what our members can expect for the implementation of the Conditional Labor Agreement (CLA)/Bridge Agreement.
 
Effective Immediately On Exit From Bankruptcy:

• Employment Threshold eliminated
• Furlough protection

Effective on First Day of Bid Month Following Merger: (If merger occurs December 2013, the following will become effective January 1, 2014):

• International Override applied to paid trip removals (e.g. SK, VC, BR, JD, etc.)
• Time Away From Base(TAFB)/Per Diem increased to $2.00-Domestic & $2.20-International
• Domestic Aft Galley Pay restored
• Vacation and Sick Accrual Thresholds restored to 420 hours (prorated for DEC if merger takes place on or before December 16, 2013)
• PVDs paid at trip missed value and ability to use unlimited PVDs up to expected accrual
• 401(k) match becomes age based contribution for those on seniority list as of 4/12/12
  FAs under 40 years old – 5.5% contribution
  FAs 40-49 years old – 6.75% contribution
  FAs 50 years and older – 9.9% contribution
  FAs hired after 4/12/12 – 3% contribution and up to 2.5% match after one year of service

Effective on First Day of the 2nd Bid Month Following Merger: (if merger occurs December 2013, the following will become effective January 1, 2014)

• 8:59 Duty Aloft for Domestic returns
• On-Duty Limitations for Domestic returns
• Monthly Limitations lowered to 90 hours with ability to flex no more than 5 hours per month and 20 hours per year

Seniority Integration
Question: What is APFA’s position on seniority integration with the US Airways Flight Attendants?

Our seniority lists will be integrated based on date of occupational seniority (which is called “date of hire” at US Airways). The only adjustment will be to ensure that American Flight Attendants get credit for initial training – as US Airways Flight Attendants do. APFA has done an enormous amount of research to determine the average number of days American Airlines Flight Attendants spent in training. No changes will be made to APFA members’ relative seniority.

FCC Cell Phone Exploration
The Federal Communications Commission announced that they will explore the possibility of passenger cell phone usage on board our flights. APFA will be meeting with the FCC to share our concerns on this issue. As first responders, our duties require an environment that puts safety first. Furthermore, surveys report that passengers do not want the use of cell phones inflight.

We may be calling on the membership for support on this issue in the coming months. Your input will be critical in the decision making process.

Representation FACTS:
In a special teleconference meeting today, the APFA Board of Directors passed a resolution confirming its commitment to the near-complete Strategic Partnership Agreement with AFA-CWA and its focus on improving the working lives of Flight Attendants.

The Agreement provides a smooth transition for all Flight Attendants at the new American, maintains consistent and strong representation for both work groups, and strengthens the relationship between our two organizations. The resolution also affirmed that APFA harbors no desire to affiliate with a larger union which would forfeit our true autonomy and our membership’s democratic control over union business.

Finally, the Board officially recognized the misleading and counterproductive carding and propaganda campaign being conducted by AFA-CWA mobilizers. Click here to read information related to the Strategic Partnership Agreement including videos by APFA President Laura Glading and Executive Committee Member Lenny Aurigemma.

• To read the full text of the Board resolution, click here.
• To read the latest draft of the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) submitted to APFA by AFA counsel, click here.
• To begin the process of rescinding an AFA-CWA authorization card, email: [email protected]
• Read Ted Reed’s article in Friday’s “The Street” containing an interview with APFA President Laura Glading and AFA-CWA MEC President Roger Holmin.

 

APFA FACT Reps
If you would like to become an APFA FACT (Flight Attendant Comm Team) Rep, email: [email protected]  Please include your name, address, employee number, phone number and base.

AmericanAirlines + US Airways 
“Merge Ahead!”

Leslie Mayo
APFA National Communications Coordinator