9.30.16 – (LAA/LUS) – Uniform Reactions/APFA Financial Records/Cobra Coverage/Retirement Semin

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Friday, September 30, 2016

Uniform Reactions – LAA/LUS
APFA Financial Records – LAA/LUS
COBRA Coverage After Retirement – LAA/LUS
Upcoming Retirement Seminars – LAA/LUS
Elections Matter – LUS/LAA
After Hours Live Chat Schedule for October – LAA/LUS

Uniform Reactions – LAA/LUS

As reported in a previous hotline and more recently in the media, Flight Attendants have reported having reactions to the new Twin Hill uniform that rolled out earlier this month.

We have been collecting data from these reports for the past several weeks and are currently in the process of conducting our own independent testing of the uniform pieces after repeated failed attempts to obtain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) from Twin Hill.

Our legal counsel is actively engaged in finding a resolution as quickly as possible. In the meantime, we are advising members to hold on to their old uniforms.

In lieu of an AMR Event Report, the Company has requested that Flight Attendants contact their Flight Service Manager to report any reactions to the new uniform. In addition, please continue to fill out and submit a New Uniform Reaction Report on the home page of the APFA website. Be sure to include photographs, if possible.

APFA Financial Records – LAA/LUS

Per the APFA Policy Manual Section 7.G.1, APFA financial records are available for viewing by all members in good standing. We encourage anyone with concerns or questions to contact the Office of the National Treasurer or their Base President to set up an appointment.

G. Financial Statements

Financial records may be accessed for viewing by members through their Base President or through the Office of the National Treasurer. These records are not for publication or distribution and are deemed confidential. No copies of financial statements or audits, other than those sent to the Board of Directors, Executive Committee and National Chairs, shall be distributed. The only exception to this section is that the annual audit may be published in whole or in part on the “members only” section of the APFA website. In addition, the “members only” section of the website may contain information on the financial status of the Union.

Eugenio Vargas
APFA National Treasurer
[email protected]

COBRA Coverage After Retirement – LAA/LUS

Are you considering retiring in 2017?
Will you be leaving before age 65?
Will you be looking at continuing your company insurance coverage thru COBRA?

If you answered yes to all three of these questions, please choose your 2017 benefit elections carefully (Standard or Value Plus plans).

There are significant differences in the cost of these two plans, and whatever coverage you select for 2017 will be the coverage you must continue with COBRA through the end of the year.

You cannot change your plan mid-year when you transition to COBRA. We have posted the 2017 COBRA rates on the retirement page of the APFA website so you can see the cost comparison.

Upcoming Retirement Seminars – LAA/LUS

The APFA Retirement Department has scheduled a series of retirement seminars for the month of November. Ron Harris and Patrick Hancock will be conducting these seminars in our three western crew bases. You can attend any seminar regardless of where you are based.

11/14 – SFO – General Manager’s Conference Room located down the hall and to the left of Flight Service Operations
11/15 – LAX – Conference Room located in Flight Service Operations
11/16 – PHX – British Airways Conference Room located in Terminal 4, above Gate B22 on the Mezzanine Level

All three seminars are scheduled from 1100-1400 local base time.

Members in the Legacy American pension plan are advised to print out an estimate from Jetnet prior to the meetings.

Members in Legacy US Airways pension plans must call the PBGC at (800)400-7242 or visit the website at http://mypba.pbgc.gov to request an estimate via the US mail.

It’s never too early to start planning for retirement and all members, regardless of their seniority, are welcome to attend.

Ron Harris
APFA Retirement Specialist
[email protected]

Elections Matter – LAA/LUS

APFA would like to recognize two APFA members who are running for elected positions this fall. Caroline Bright (PHL) is a state-wide candidate for Vermont State House in the Franklin-1 District. Matthew Sparks (MIA) is a local candidate for Oakland Park Commission in Florida. Both elections are on November 8th.

APFA encourages all members to participate in the political process through voting (or running!) and we applaud Caroline and Matthew for getting involved to better serve their communities. If you or another APFA member are running this fall, please reach out at [email protected]

If you need to register to vote, update your registration, request an absentee ballot or obtain early voting instructions, please visit www.vote.org or reach out to APFA Gov’t Affairs directly.

Registration deadlines for most states are postmarked 30 days or less before the election on Nov. 8th so be sure to check the deadline for your state.

Allie Malis
APFA Interim Government Affairs Representative
[email protected]

Live Chat Hours for October – LAA/LUS

If you have a question or concern for an APFA rep during non-business hours, please go to the APFA website and click on the Chat Now Pop-up at the bottom of the screen. When Live Chat is offline, just click on Leave a message and a rep will get back to you promptly.

October Hours:
Monday – Friday: 5PM – 11PM CST
Saturday & Sunday: 9AM – 5PM CST