12.05.14b – (LAA) FML Changes, Prefunding Presidential, Overwater Ballot, December Training Classes, Tablets for FAs on LOA, Ice Cream Service, AVBL Release Requests, VOL Benefits

 

December 5, 2014

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LAA
Domestic Partner/Family Leave Changes – [email protected] / [email protected]
The company recently announced changes to AA’s Family Leave policy system wide effective January 1, 2015. The changes as they relate to the LAA and LUS Flight Attendants are outlined below. Upon initial review of the FML changes, APFA discovered that LAA Flight Attendants would lose the right to file for Family Leave for a Domestic Partner (DP) beginning 1/1/15 under management’s policy change. (LUS Flight Attendants are not affected by the change.)
 
Following discussions between APFA and management on this issue, APFA is pleased to announce that the company has agreed to extend the current DP FML policy for LAA Flight Attendants beyond December 31, 2014. Therefore, LAA and LUS Flight Attendants will remain status quo as it relates to FML for Domestic Partners. The T/A language, which contains this provision and which will become part of the JCBA created in the interest arbitration, will kick in on January 1, 2016, and supersedes company policy changes. Therefore, beginning January 1, 2016, Family Leave shall be provided in cases involving the Domestic Partner (same and opposite sex) who meet the eligibility requirements as defined in the Company’s DP Benefits Program. 
 
And while we do not represent other work groups we pressed the company to reverse the decision to exclude FML eligibility for DP for all employees. We are pleased to announce they have agreed to do so. 
 
APFA is in the process of reviewing all of the FML policy changes for other potential conflicts in the current LUS contract and the T/A and will keep the membership informed.

LAA
Prefunding Contribution Presidential Grievance – [email protected]
APFA has proposed March 3 – 4, 2015, to the company to schedule APFA’s Presidential Grievance on the company’s refusal to distribute its pre-funding match to active Flight Attendants.

As soon as a date is finalized, we will update via this Hotline.

LAA
Overwater Training Draft Ballot – [email protected]
Flight Attendants who are subject to being drafted for Overwater Training in January 2015 have been sent an HI6. Due to the large number of Flight Attendants proffering in the first round, the number subject to drafting is relatively small. In fact no Flight Attendant is subject to a draft in DFW, LGA or ORD based on the proffer ballot. 
 
The bid ballot for those subject to the Overwater Training draft for January 2015 is now open and will close on Friday, December 12, 2014 at 1000 CT. Because final eligibility for the proffer and/or draft will not be determined until the close of the second ballot some FAs who receive a notice may not actually be awarded a class date. More detailed information regarding this training can be found on the Contract Department page of the APFA website.
 
LAA
December Training Class Vacancies/Voluntary Training – [email protected]
While the next designated trigger training month is January, some Flight Attendants may not be familiar with the ability to enroll in training class vacancies. Flight Attendants can take advantage of slots that may remain in classes that were created for training proffers but were subsequently not filled to capacity. Trip removals are not offered if enrolling in class vacancies; however training pay does apply. Although December is not a designated trigger month, on November 26th class vacancies were first offered to those who successfully triggered in OCT, NOV and DEC. Flight Attendants who have not triggered or Flight Attendants who triggered but did not call on November 26th can now request class vacancies on a first come, first serve basis.  
 
Please refer to the cover pages of the bid sheet or the Flight Service Training page via Jetnet for more detailed enrollment instructions    
 
LAA
Tablets for Flight Attendants on Leave of Absence – [email protected]
APFA was notified by Flight Service this week of its plans to collect tablets from LAA  FAs who are on Leave of Absence (paid or unpaid) for more than 60 days. A prepaid FedEx envelope will be mailed to the Flight Attendant’s address on file. The accompanying letter asks the Flight Attendant to make contact with their FSM or local tablet support at least one week prior to their return to work to arrange for tablet return.
 
We have also been informed that local Flight Service and the Flight Attendant Service Center has been contacting Flight Attendants on long term Sick or IOD via telephone to verify the mailing address prior to sending the Fed Ex prepaid material. APFA has asked management to refrain from calling Flight Attendants. Article 26.H.4 (Sick Call Procedures-Contact Number) of our contract states in part “a Flight Attendant will not be disciplined solely for being unavailable at her/his contact number.”

LAA
Mid-Flight Ice Cream Service – [email protected]
On December 1st, the company began a new main cabin mid-flight ice cream service on all flights departing Europe. APFA believes this new additional service which includes main cabin distribution of the ice cream, a subsequent beverage service and trash pick-up, violates the existing 777 staffing award. APFA has informed the company that the #12 Flight Attendant position should be added to all affected 777 flights. 
 
Additionally, APFA believes this new service will have a considerable impact on Flight Attendant work load and crew rest on all aircraft on which it is required. Please send any recent experiences, including additional time required to complete this new service to [email protected]. 
 
LAA
AVBL Next-Day Release Requests – [email protected]
AVBL Flight Attendants may request to be released from next day AVBL obligation via the MU HISEND BALLOT form to Crew Schedule. If s/he is only requesting release, s/he does not need to place her/his name on the next day MU list. Release ballots will be set aside for award processing after all requested sequences have been awarded but prior to assigning AVBL Flight Attendants who were not awarded a sequence during the MU HISEND round. If requesting specific sequences followed by a release request, AVBL Flight Attendants will need to have her/his name on the MU list and sequence requests will have priority over the release request. If sequences remain open for assignment to AVBL Flight Attendants after processing the MU HISEND round, Crew Schedule will grant release requests in seniority order between 1200-1330HBT. Keep in mind, legalities might impact who is eligible for assignments and therefore who is eligible for release. 
 
Please see the updated AVBL 101 document on the scheduling page of www.apfa.org for more AVBL details.
 
LAA
Voluntary Benefits for APFA Members – Action Required – [email protected]
Please note, several Flight Attendants may receive a message with the following subject line: ‘Voluntary Benefits for APFA Members – Action Required.’ This email was sent because the recipient elected voluntary benefits during open enrollment from Union Benefit Planners, but has not yet provided account information to set up monthly premium deductions. If UBP does not receive your billing information by 5:00 PM EST on December 15, 2014, you will automatically forfeit your voluntary policy scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2015. This insurance is entirely separate from AA Benefits enrollment.
 
You can finalize your billing instructions by visiting the following link: http://APFAVolBenBilling.Info
 
If you have any additional questions, please call Union Benefit Planners at 866-386-6060 or APFA’s Health Rep on Duty at (817) 540-0108, ext. 8301.

Leslie Mayo
APFA National Communications Chair