2.21.14 – (LAA) – Vanezuela Civil Unrest, Vacation Bids Are Open, Profit Sharing, Uniform Update, Prefunding Update, ODCG, VEOP

APFA Hotline

February 21, 2014

 

VENEZUELA CIVIL UNREST
Due to the continuing civil unrest in Venezuela and the close proximity of those disturbances to our layover hotel in Maracaibo, IMA flights to MAR became turns effective February 20th through at least February 26th. APFA, APA, and AA will continue to monitor the situation and assess when to reinstate layovers. We also continue to monitor the escalating situation in CCS which remains confined to the downtown area away from the airport and our layover hotel. For crew members whose schedules have been or may be impacted please refer to the APFA scheduling page for information on pay protection and line guarantee. Click here for more information via the AA Flight Service web site.

VACATION BIDS ARE NOW OPEN
Vacation bidding is open. Selected vacations are due by March 7th at 0800 Central Time. For information on 2014-2015 bidding, click here. 

PROFIT SHARING AND SPECIAL ELECTION
As you know, profit sharing from 2013 (under the LBFO) will be paid mid-March 2014. Unless you elect otherwise, your current Special Election percentage(s) will be applied to the 2013 profit sharing payout. If you desire to increase, decrease or stop your Profit Sharing Special Election into your 401(k) account, you must take action before February 28, 2014 at 1500 Central Time. Verify your “Special Election on File” by following these steps:

Step 1             Go to J.P.Morgan Retire Online at www.retireonline.com and log in to your secure account
Step 2             Choose the “$uper $aver 401(k) Plan” link from the Account List on the home page
Step 3             Select “Contribution Amount” from the navigation bar on the left
Step 4             Review your special election percentage(s) in the “Special Election” field(s)
Step 5             Update your special election percentage(s), if necessary
Step 6             Select “Continue” and follow the additional prompts to complete your transaction(s)
Step 7             Review your confirmation and keep a copy for your records

UNIFORM UPDATE
KAUFMANFRANCO and the manufacturer continue to refine the prototype pattern and fit of the new uniforms. This includes identifying the best fabric for our uniforms that will offer stretch and easy care. Core pieces are being created with some details remaining, including identifying splashes of color to distinguish work groups. The application process to select 400 diverse volunteers company wide to wear test the new uniform and provide feedback is set to begin today. The application will be online and available on Jetnet. Look for information in Jetwire and Arrivals. The application deadline is March 7th and selected wear testers will be notified March 14th. Wear testing is scheduled for the fall of 2014.

PREFUNDING UPDATE
APFA is still in discussions with the company on the refunding of the company’s match portion of our Prefunding. APFA will continue to push this issue until we have a resolution.

APFA/AA ON DUTY CONTRACT GUIDE
The company is in the process of printing the On-Duty Contract Guide (ODCG) and will be placing a copy in each Flight Attendant mailbox at your base operations. The latest version of the ODCG has been uploaded and is available for download here.

VEOP-2
There are approximately 185 VEOP-2 requests from pre-merger AA Flight Attendants on file to date. APFA Retirement Specialists Patrick Hancock (IDF) and Ron Harris (IDF) have updated the VEOP-2 Handbook as of February 19, 2014. Click here to download this helpful information. You still have two opportunities to attend a VEOP Roadshow before the February 28th VEOP-2 election deadline:

LAX
Monday, February 24
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Ayres Hotel Manhattan Beach
14400 Hindry Ave.
Hawthorne, CA 90250
(310) 536-0400

SFO
Tuesday, February 25
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Embassy Suites San Francisco Airport
250 Gateway Boulevard
South San Francisco, CA 94080
(650) 589-3400

APFA GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Thank you! APFA members continue to let Congress know that we oppose the use of cell phones on board our airplanes. And it’s working! Last week, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee sent the bill H.R. 3676: Prohibiting In-Flight Voice Communications on Mobile Wireless Devices Act of 2013 to the House for consideration. At any time, the bill could come up for a vote before the full House. It now has strong bipartisan support with 30 cosponsors. Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) have introduced similar legislation in the Senate (S. 1811: Commercial Flight Courtesy Act). Use the APFA Capwiz to show Congress we support this legislation.

This week, APFA President Laura Glading met with FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and other senior FAA staff. The purpose of the meeting was to update the agency on our merger, the implementation of OSHA in the cabin, and the issues we see on the horizon in 2014 and beyond. Specifically, the FAA remains interested in Flight Attendant fatigue and APFA has pledged to help inform future discussions on that topic. Additionally, Congress will begin drafting FAA Reauthorization legislation in the coming year which is always important to the Flight Attendant profession. APFA welcomes the opportunity to work with the FAA on those issues most critical to our members.
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REMINDERS

PRE-MERGER US AIRWAYS FLIGHT ATTENDANTS VOTE ON BARGAINING AND REPRESENTATION AT THE NEW AMERICAN
Voting on the Negotiations Protocol Agreement (NPA) and Agreement on Bargaining and Representation continues for the pre-merger US Airways Flight Attendants. Balloting closes February 28th. Please encourage your coworkers at the pre-merger US Airways to get their vote in before the deadline!
 
Once the Agreement is ratified, the parties will begin negotiating with the company no later than 60 days following the ratification date. Negotiations will continue for no more than 150 days from the day negotiations commence unless all parties agree otherwise. For details on the process moving forward, click here.
 
STAFFING
As a reminder, if you have reports concerning staffing related issues, please email details to [email protected]. 
 
BOS-D VICE CHAIRPERSON WILLINGNESS TO SERVE
The National Ballot Committee has posted the Willingness-to-Serve Notification for BOS-D Vice Chairperson on APFA’s website. All interested candidates should print a copy of the WTS and return it to the PO Box located at the bottom of the WTS form by 1000 Central on March 6, 2014.
 
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WILLINGNESS TO SERVE
The National Ballot Committee has posted a Willingness-to-Serve (WTS) for Ad Hoc Positions 1 and 2 of the Executive Committee. If you are interested in serving on the Executive Committee, you are asked to return the WTS to Jeff Pharr, APFA Secretary, by March 10, 2014, at [email protected]. For more information, visit www.apfa.org. Please direct any questions to the National Ballot Committee at [email protected] or 817-540-0108, ext. 8311.
 
ADMINISTRATIVE AND COMMITTEE POSITIONS
APFA is accepting resumés for the positions of Division Representative (5), National Coordinator (6) – Communications, Contract, Health, Hotel, Safety/Security, Scheduling, the National Balloting Committee (5), and the National Budget Committee (4). Resumés must be submitted to APFA Secretary Jeff Pharr at [email protected] by March 12, 2014.

AmericanAirlines + US Airways 
“On Our Way”

Leslie Mayo
APFA National Communications Coordinator