1.06.16 – (LAA) – JSIC Update – Pay Protection, Rescheduling, Home Base Rest-Minimum FAR Rest, Illegal Through No Fault, Last Sequence, Sequence Split

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Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Joint Scheduling Implementation Committee Update – January 2016 – LAA

Happy 2016 from the Joint Scheduling Implementation Committee!

A New Year gives us all an opportunity to look back at what has been accomplished and reflect on the challenges ahead. The Joint Scheduling Implementation Committee (JSIC) is no different. Since the implementation of the Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA), the JSIC hit the ground running implementing the new contractual provisions for both the LAA and LUS Flight Attendants. The JSIC has been using the implementation schedule that was established in the side letter of the JCBA. The first priority of the JSIC was the larger economic items that could be implemented immediately with little or no programming changes by the IT department. Please consult the JCBA Implementation Schedule for information about what has and has yet to be implemented.

One of the main questions the JSIC receives from both the APFA leadership and members is:

When will the Pay Protections of the JCBA be implemented for the LAA Flight Attendants?

The JSIC has been defining all of the changes necessary to Flight Operations System (FOS) in order to implement Sections 10.J, K, L, M for LAA Flight Attendants for the past 4 to 6 months. We have been meeting with Labor Relations, LAA/LUS Crew Schedule, and Flight Service each week to make sure the intent of the language is implemented correctly. It may seem rather basic that the language would be implemented correctly, however many of the individuals that are responsible for the implementation of the JCBA were not part of the negotiations process and have little to no knowledge what the language means or how the “day-to-day” applications of the language would relate to both the Flight Attendants and Crew Scheduling.

Outside of the JCBA, one of the most important documents are the Business Requirement Documents (BRDs) There are numerous BRD’s for every item that requires changes to the way AA does business and specifically if it requires programming changes to FOS. The BRD’s for pay protections are now in their final stages for approval and will soon be in the hands of the IT department. Soon after, we should have an estimated date for the pay protections and their implementation. Here are some of the charts that have been given to the BRD specialists to clarify the language:

Why can’t we just implement Last Sequence/Last Series of Month Protection?

Because this JCBA protection is not only about the Last 5 days of the month, and it may encompass more than just one trip, it requires extensive FOS programming to recognize what qualifies as last trip/last series of the month for each individual Flight Attendant.

How many people does it take to make this happen sooner?

Currently, there are over 30 people defining the needed changes and writing the BRD’s. The JSIC, Crew Schedule, Labor, Flight Service, BRD programmers and IT are all involved. This does not even include the hundreds of people responsible for reprogramming all of the JCBA changes in FOS. This remains the highest priority on the list of implementation items and we are all dedicated to making it happen with the correct intent. Collectively there are approximately 750,000 to 800,000 hours of programming changes needed just related to the Flight Attendant JCBA. The JSIC will continue to work with the Company to implement all provisions of the JCBA. At the same time, it is necessary to hold the Company responsible for the historical intent of the JCBA language. All of these items need to be implemented as we approach Flight Operational Integration (FOI) that is scheduled for the first half of 2017. While that may seem a long time away it will be here before we know it and the past practice and correct programming changes need to be achieved prior to FOI.

When will Section 16 Deadheading be implemented?

The Deadheading section will be implemented either concurrently with Pay Protections or soon after. The changes in Deadheading are an improvement for the LAA Flight Attendant when scheduled to return to base from a sequence or training they will now travel at an A1 status instead of the current A3 status. The other change is on an unscheduled deadhead, the A3 status will require the company to book the next scheduled flight with an available seat. If that available seat is on a flight tomorrow, then the flight attendant will be booked a hotel room and not be required to stand-by at the airport for each flight until the point they become illegal. The Flight Attendant will still have the option to stand by for an earlier flight. Additionally, when pay protections are implemented, specifically 10.K Illegal thru no fault, there will be greater protections with this greatly improved section of the JCBA. Since this is a change to the current A3 procedure, it is important to implement this language with pay protections or soon after.

Your APFA Joint Scheduling Implementation Committee