7.13.15 – (LAA/LUS) – Presidential Grievance Update, Communications Update, EAP Update, WINGS and Human Trafficking

LUS / LAA
Presidential Grievances
Out-Of-Network Presidential Grievance

The company has announced it will abandon the “usual and prevailing” standard to determine the allowed charge for out-of-network services. Instead, they are going to change the “allowed charge” for these services to 140% of the Medicare rate. For most out-of-network services, the allowed charge that is based on 140% of the Medicare rate will be substantially lower than one that applies to the current standard of “usual and prevailing.” 

APFA views this as a JCBA contractual violation. APFA has demanded a cease and desist and retroactive reimbursement for any additional costs incurred by Flight Attendants or their family members as a result of the company’s unilateral change. 

If you have experienced an increase in out-of-network costs as a result of the company’s change in practice, send all documents to APFA Health Regional Representative Paul Frishkorn – [email protected].

Upcoming Presidential Grievances
We are in the process of filing two additional Presidential Grievances. The National Vice President’s Department is preparing a Presidential Grievance for the company’s newly-announced procedures for hot aircraft, as well as for the litany of problems experienced by LUS Flight Attendants as a result of issues with ETB, ISAP and Catcrew.

Prefunding Arbitration
APFA and the company concluded the Prefunding Arbitration on June 18^th in Washington D.C. APFA’s attorney Carmen Parcelli presented a very strong case before Arbitrator Richard Bloch and was assisted by Regional Representatives Liz Geiss and Debbie Dent. The parties are in the process of submitting final legal briefs to the arbitrator and we expect a decision in the fall. APFA would like to thank the many past and present APFA representatives who testified on behalf of the membership in the arbitration.

New Regional Representatives
We are happy to announce the confirmation of Regional Representatives Glenda Talley and Paul Frishkorn. Glenda is the former MEC Secretary-Treasurer and Grievance Chair for AFA LUS East and will represent CLT and PHL. Paul is the former Health Committee Chair with AFA and will concentrate on Health, FML Denials and IOD issues that escalate to a Notice of Dispute. We all look forward to working with Glenda and Paul and welcome their collective wealth of knowledge and experience.

Deborah Dent              [email protected]     (ORD, SFO, STL)
Liz Geiss                      [email protected]     (DFW)
Beth Flannery              [email protected]      (PHX, LAX)
Catt Napper                 [email protected]      (MIA, RDU, DCA-US)
Jennifer McCauley        [email protected]      (JFK, BOS, DCA-AA)
Glenda Talley               [email protected]      (CLT, PHL)
Paul Frishkorn              [email protected]      (Health, IOD and Family Medical Leave (FML) Grievances)

LAA / LUS
Letters of Agreement

LAA / LUS
APFA Hotlines

To browse hotlines from 2015, click here. 2014 archives are being updated now and the work will continue until all of the archived hotlines include topics. 

LAA / LUS
CISM – [email protected]

• Connect With Flight Attendants
• Help FAs Understand Their Stress Response
• Educate on Resilience
• Identify Strengths  
• Triage Immediate Needs

We have over 250 Flight Attendant volunteers who man our 800 number twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The next time you are involved in a traumatic workplace event, we will be there for you. For confidential help, we can be reached at 800-998-8194.
Your well being is our first concern.
 
LAA / LUS
Depression – [email protected]

Learn to Recognize the Common Symptoms of Depression:

• Persistent sad or anxious mood
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Change in appetite which cause weight loss or weight gain
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless
• Thoughts of suicide or death

If you or someone you know has five or more of these symptoms for two weeks or more, it could be caused by depression. Confidential help is available by calling your APFA EAP department at 1-817-540-0108 ext. 8701 or email us at [email protected].  
 
Patty French, LCPC, CADC, CEAP
 
LAA / LUS
WINGS Foundation in Charlotte

LAA / LUS
Human Trafficking Awareness Training – DFW

Where: DFW International Airport, Yandry Center (across from Gate C2)
When: July 20, 2015
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The training is free – if you plan to attend, please register by emailing Tammy Meade at [email protected]. If you’d like to learn more about the program, email [email protected] or call 650.489.5322.

Leslie Mayo
APFA National Communications Chair