1.27.15 – (LAA/LUS) AA Earnings, JCBA Q&As, Dental Enrollment, Base Rep Elections, Satellite Bases, Prefunding, Ice Cream Svc, Int’l Proffer Lock In, Uniform, Global Entry

   

January 27, 2015

LAA / LUS
AA Reports Record Profits
This morning, American reported earnings of $597 million for Q4 2014 and $2.9 billion for FY 2014, both company records. In his state of the airline speech, delivered from company headquarters, CEO Doug Parker credited the success of the airline to the more than 100,000 employees who have worked hard to complete the merger seamlessly. The company’s press release singled out the APFA joint contract as a major step towards achieving full integration and the benefits that come with it. Parker’s speech also emphasized that the drop in oil prices has contributed to the company’s success. American does not currently engage in fuel hedging and Parker stated that the company plans to operate the airline as if oil were at $100 a barrel. 
 
The company also announced the authorization of an additional $2 billion share repurchase program to be completed by the end of 2016. AA also declared a dividend of ten cents per share to be paid on February 23, 2015.
 
Citing increased capacity at foreign carriers and tougher competition from domestic low cost carriers, American announced that it expects first quarter unit revenue to decline by as much as four percent compared to Q1 2014. As a result, American’s stock traded down today by twice as much as Delta’s or United’s (approx. -5% vs. -2.5%).
 
The company said that the state of American Airlines is strong. APFA agrees wholeheartedly and credits the 25,000 Flight Attendants – the face of the new American – for that strength.
 
LAA / LUS
JCBA Q&As on APFA.ORG – [email protected]
APFA Communications has been working with the JNC to post contract Q&As online that contain “tags” for Flight Attendant reference. We are currently copying and pasting, and in some cases redrafting Q&As that were provided throughout the ratification process as well as new Q&As. This is a work in progress and will be an ongoing project over the next several months. To view the Q&As, click here. To submit a question, please email: [email protected]. 
 
LAA
Dental Open Enrollment Update: Three days left to enroll – [email protected]
Due to the high call volume for the new dental insurance enrollment option we encourage Flight Attendants to enroll by logging on to the Benefits Service Center via my.aa.com and sending a message online no later than January 30, 2015.
–          Go to my.aa.com
–          Click on the Benefits Service Center ‘quick link’ in the blue box on the right side of the page
–          Enter Jetnet User ID and Password
–          Click on the ‘Contact Us’ in the far right corner
–          Click on the blue link that says, “Send a question to a Benefits Representative”
–          This will generate an email. Type in the subject line: “Enroll in standard dental plan.” In the message of the email form, type your employee number and who you would like coverage for, i.e. employee only, employee + spouse, or employee + child(ren) or employee + family. Once you submit this, your enrollment is complete.
You may verify enrollment by checking in the Benefits Service Center > Current Coverage, however, it may take a few days for your profile to reflect the new coverage.
 
LAA / LUS
Base Representative Elections – [email protected]
The National Ballot Committee (NBC) would like to remind flight attendants at CLT, DCA-US, IDF, IMA, JFK, LGA, MIA, PHL and PHX that you must cast your vote for Base Representative by this Thursday, January 29th, at 10:00 CT. If you are in need of an activation code or any assistance you may contact the  NBC by calling 817-540-0108, ext. 8311 or emailing [email protected]. You may also review a copy of your base ballot and candidate information by visiting: https://www.www.apfa.org/base-rep-elections.

You may cast your vote by phone 1-800-698-3789 or via the Internet by visiting: https://www.ballotpoint.com/apfa

LAA / LUS
Satellite Bases – Section 10.U – [email protected]
The 15 hours of pay provided for in the JCBA will be paid to the existing satellite coordinators beginning with the contractual month of March 2015. APFA and AA Flight Service have agreed to create a peer review process for selecting Satellite Base Coordinators going forward once the operations are combined.
 
LAA
Prefunding Presidential Grievance / Arbitration Update – [email protected]
APFA and the Company have agreed to present the Presidential Grievance regarding Prefunding of Retiree Health Benefits on April 28-30, 2015. Arbitrator Richard Bloch will hear presentations from both sides during a three-day hearing to be held in Washington DC.  We will update the timeline for an decision as it becomes available.
 
LAA
777 Main Cabin Ice Cream Service – [email protected]
We have heard from many Flight Attendants regarding the new main cabin ice cream service the Company implemented on all flights departing Europe. 
 
Some history: In 2003, APFA and the Company arbitrated the 777 Staffing Grievance. According to the arbitrator’s award, the company was required to pay a large amount of understaffing back pay to those Flight Attendants who had flown the 777 at the previous staffing. Additionally, the inflight service was modified via discussion between APFA and the company, as ordered in the arbitration award. Unfortunately, it appears history is repeating itself. 
 
While APFA researches the impact of this new service and our legal and work-study teams investigate the additional workload on board, we have asked the Company to add a #12 Flight Attendant position to all affected flights. The Company has yet to respond to our request. 
 
Please share details of any flight you believe was inadequately staffed or if you believe crew rest was interfered with as a result of the new ice cream service by sending an email to [email protected].
 
LAA
International Proffer Lock-in Following Combined Operations – [email protected]
If you held the proffer to IDF or LAX-I for March and are serving your first 6-month International Lock-in, any portion of your lock-in that is in excess of 3 months will expire following the combination of the operations effective May 2. This applies to other Flight Attendants still serving a 6-month initial International lock-in as of May 2. Once the operations combine, the only lock-in for a change of base will be the 3-month lock-in currently applicable to Domestic transfers. This does not apply to language lock-ins which continue to be 6 months (as they are currently in the domestic operation).
 
LAA / LUS
Uniform Wear Test – [email protected]
By now, many of you have probably seen one of the wear testers in the field or attended one of the roadshows to be able to see the uniform prototypes first hand.  The company has already assured that they will be incorporating feedback from members of the uniform FAIT Team and comments from employees into the final design. You can provide feedback or ask questions about the uniform prototypes by emailing [email protected].
 
LAA / LUS
Global Entry Reimbursement – [email protected]
We have been receiving many calls and emails regarding Global Entry and reimbursement for AA crew members. Flight Attendants can find detailed information on Global Entry by visiting www.cbp.gov. The reimbursement process can be found on Jetnet by clicking here.
 
From the Flight Service web site:
Following the announcement that American will be the first carrier to offer flight crews complimentary membership in the Global Entry program, the top question we’re asked is: Will the Company still reimburse me if I already have Global Entry?
 
The answer is yes. LAA and LUS flight crew members who already have Global Entry should submit for reimbursement using the steps outlined on the Flight Service website. Please note – a copy of the Global Entry (GE) card will suffice for a receipt. The company began accepting reimbursement documentation on January 20th.

Leslie Mayo
APFA National Communications Chair