3.07.14 – (LAA) – Equity, 2013 FSA Expires, Profit Sharing, Prefunding, APFA Convention, WINGS, Share your Photos

 

Equity, 2013 FSA Expires, Profit Sharing, Prefunding, APFA Convention, WINGS, Share your Photos!

March 7, 2014

 

Day-90 Equity Distribution
As you know, the majority of US-based pre-merger AA employees are eligible to receive 23.6 percent of the shares of common stock in the new company (AAL) distributed to holders of allowed unsecured claims. The initial distribution of equity occurred on Dec. 9 with approximately 25 million shares of new common stock granted to eligible employees. A second distribution was made on the Day 30 mark of approximately 1.1 million shares and a third distribution was made on Day 60 of approximately 1 million shares, bringing the total number of AAL shares distributed to eligible U.S.-based pre-merger AA employees to 26.8 million.

Today, a 90-day distribution of approximately 0.75 million shares was announced  and will be available for Flight Attendants to hold, sell or transfer on March 10, 2014. From Jetnet: “It’s important to note that because this is a small distribution and because the company can only issue a whole number of shares, not all employees will receive shares and for those who do, the distribution will be smaller than the initial distribution.”

As was the case for the first three equity distributions, APFA’s Equity Claim Call Center will be available for all Flight Attendants from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday for two weeks beginning Monday the 10th of March. The toll free number is 855-332-3407. There, you will be able to speak directly to a BMC representative regarding the distribution of the claim. You can also email BMC at [email protected].   For more information, visit APFA’s equity website and Jetnet. If you have questions about how to access your account or need information on how to buy, sell or transfer your shares, contact AA’s Call Center at 888-285-9438.

2013 Flex Spending Account Funds Expire Next Week
If you elected a Healthcare FSA or a Dependent Daycare FSA for 2013 and have money left in your account, you have until March 15, 2014, to use these funds for eligible expenses. You will have until June 15, 2013 to file claims for reimbursement. More information about FSA eligibility is available online at www.irs.gov/publications/p502/ or www.wageworks.com.

Profit Sharing
Profit Sharing will be distributed on March 13, 2014. For details on the Profit Sharing program, click here.

Prefunding Refund Update
APFA continues to work with the company on the refund of the company’s prefunding match. APFA also consulted with a VEBA attorney this week. It is important to note that no labor group has received a refund of their company prefunding match. APFA is meeting with the company next week and we hope to have a resolution soon. We know many of you are anxious to put this issue behind you as are your union representatives. Stay tuned to this hotline for developments.

APFA Convention
The APFA Board of Directors Convention will be held next Wednesday, March 12^th in Alexandria, Virginia at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town. Members in good standing are welcome to attend all open portions of the meeting. APFA representatives will spend Tuesday, March 11^th lobbying Congress. Business will begin at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday and will continue through Saturday.

A “WINGS Option” for Retirees’ Gift 
If you are retiring or taking the VEOP do not forget to request your retirement gift. All company retirees can choose from the crystal or bronze eagle, or a gift certificate to the CR Smith Museum gift shop. And, thanks to the efforts of retired Flight Attendant Jackie Phillips, Flight Attendants can elect to have the value of their retirement gift donated to Wings. Contact your Flight Service Manager for this option. All of the retirement gifts to Wings are sent in one large payment at the end of the month. This is a great way to have one less thing to dust, and to help your fellow Flight Attendants in need.

WINGS Foundation Recycles For Flight Attendants
The WINGS Foundation reported a total of $101,564.49 in recycled cans last year. That’s 480,486 pounds of aluminum. WINGS has extended its recycling program to JFK, DCA, BOS, DEN and DTW. By recycling on every flight, you are helping AA Flight Attendants in need nationwide. Make sure when you store recycled cans, they are placed in an insert and back into the carts. The cans can be mixed with unopened cans. They should not be placed in any cart with fresh or perishable food.

For more information on recycling, check out the WINGS FAQ here. You can also email WINGS at [email protected].

Share Your Photos!
We received some great pictures this past week after our first request for members’ photos at work and on layovers. Please remember that in order for the photos to be useable, they must include the names and employee numbers of all Flight Attendants, as well as contact information (if available). Otherwise, the photos are unusable.

Photos may be incorporated in future APFA web and print projects, including upcoming issues of Skyword, press releases, our APFA New Hire guide and a welcome booklet for our future members from US Airways. Please email your high-res photos to: [email protected]. If you are emailing several high-resolution photos, please limit your photos to 3 per email as our server will block files over a certain size. If you prefer to mail a hard copy, send to: 

APFA Communications
1004 W. Euless Blvd.
Euless, TX, 76040

Photos must be:

• Be the sole property of the sender. By sending in photos, you are giving APFA permission to use them in APFA communications.
• Contain the name(s), employee number(s) (if you can obtain your coworker’s employee number easily), email and phone number of each person in the photo in order to obtain permission to publish.
• Be tasteful in content.

IN THE NEWS:
The Evolution of Airline Bankruptcies – from Eastern to AA
Read Ted Reed’s article in TheStreet.com about the evolution of airline bankruptcies – from Eastern to AA, which includes comments from APFA President Laura Glading.

USA Today Op-Ed by Peter Goelz, O’Neill and Associates (APFA’s Lobby Firm in Washington)
Read Peter’s OpEd on the government fine imposed on Asiana Airlines as a result of their response to the San Francisco crash last year.

Bloomberg Article: AA Record Profit Seen as Air Merger Buoys Industry – by Mary Schlangenstein
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REMINDERS

STAFFING
As a reminder, if you have reports concerning staffing related issues, please email details to [email protected]. 

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