11.07.16 – (LAA/LUS) – Message from APFA National President Bob Ross – UAL Analysis Update

Monday, November 7, 2016

 

Dear Colleagues,

After several discussions with the Company on how United’s recently ratified JCBA impacts the total value of our current JCBA based on the “market-based in the aggregate” analysis, I regret to report that these talks did not result in an agreement.

Both parties agreed that if an agreement was not reached by November 7th, each party will submit its disputes for resolution to final and binding arbitration in accordance with the Negotiations Protocol Agreement (NPA).

The market-based in the aggregate standard as described in the NPA is based on United, American, and Delta.

The Company’s position is that the market-based in the aggregate standard includes the total value of Delta’s compensation, work rules and benefits in 2014 as opposed to the total value of these provisions today. 

However, APFA’s legal counsel, along with key union members who were involved in drafting the NPA, believe that the market-based in the aggregate standard should include Delta’s current wages as of 2016, taking into account the value of their lucrative profit sharing plan. We also feel that we are entitled to retro pay dating back to April 1, 2016.

Our offer to the Company is considerably higher in value and is reflective of a true industry aggregate. Through several conversations and meetings, our economists and advisors feel we have a very important case to argue against the Company’s unacceptable lowball offer.

Beyond the NPA, it is my firm belief that the Flight Attendants at the “New” American Airlines deserve legitimate industry leading compensation. Since Date of Signing almost two years ago, we have been enduring the hardships of IT failures, implementation delays, uniform reactions, fume events, and an arbitrated contract that lags the industry in pay. I am not willing to accept a lowball offer compared to our colleagues at United and Delta, while our members are working under separate contracts for an indefinite period of time. 

The Company has admitted that we were instrumental in making this merger possible, yet they fail to realize that we are worth more than “market rate” wages defined by bankruptcy era contracts.

As we prepare to meet the Company again in arbitration, we ask our members to remain steadfastly unified in our collective efforts to convince them that a true industry leader is defined by the value they place on the front-line employees who directly affect their bottom line.

In Solidarity,

Bob Ross
APFA National President
[email protected]

Save