1.05.18 – (LAA/LUS) – 1K Emp payout/Clarification on IOD Filing Procedures /Special BOD Meeting Minutes/Vac Buyback/EC Meeting/Retirement Seminars/Uniform Rpt

 

 

• Company Announces $1,000 Pay-out to Employees – LAA/LUS
• Clarification on new IOD Filing Procedures – LAA/LUS
• Minutes in Review – APFA Special BOD Meeting – LAA/LUS
• Vacation Buyback Window – LUS
• 4Q17 Executive Committee Meeting – LAA/LUS
• February Retirement Seminars – LAA/LUS
• Uniform Reaction Report Count – LAA/LUS

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Company Announces $1,000 Pay-out to Employees – LAA/LUS

Following another year of record profits for the airline industry, the Company announced plans this week to distribute $1,000 payouts to employees due to the recent tax overhaul which cuts the corporate tax rate in 2018 from 35% to 21%. The gesture falls in line with several other carriers offering similar payouts.

Although the effects of the tax bill will be unique for each individual, APFA applauds this decision as it will help offset the loss of business related expense deductions for Flight Attendants. We have long held that sharing the wealth through industry leading wages, work rules, and profit sharing with front-line employees is the best way to invest in the long-term success of any corporation. Distributions of the payout will be made in the first quarter of 2018.

We have included the following links to some tax calculators that may help you ascertain the potential impact of the 2018 Tax Bill:

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/17/upshot/tax-calculator.html?_r=0

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-new-trump-tax-calculator-what-do-you-owe-2017-10-26

https://www.moneyhelpcenter.com/taxes/calculate/trump-tax-reform-calculator/

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Clarification on new IOD Filing Procedures – LAA/LUS

Under the new Injury On-duty (IOD) filing procedures announced by the Company last month, a Sedgwick triage nurse will complete work related injury on duty reports. In addition to filing the IOD, the nurse will recommend appropriate medical care options via referrals to local available network clinics/providers or emergency rooms based on the injury type.

Keep in mind that you are not required to follow these recommendations; however, to receive salary continuance under Section 27 of the JCBA, you are required to be treated by an in-network doctor or facility.

Q: What if I don’t want to follow the nurse’s recommendation for treatment?

A: Simply tell the nurse that you intend to seek your own medical treatment based on the state laws where you are based.

Q: What if the nurse doesn’t recommend treatment, but I would prefer to be seen and treated for my injury?

A: You are always free to seek medical treatment. If you choose to do so, advise the nurse of your intention and request that (s)he complete the IOD report.

Q: I reported an IOD resulting from a fume event and was advised by the Sedgwick nurse to return to base for treatment. What if I prefer to get immediate medical attention?

A: If you wish to seek medical treatment prior to returning to base, advise the nurse of your intention and follow up with the APFA National IOD, Health, and Safety departments.

Anyone who experiences issues or concerns with the new IOD reporting process should report them to the IOD Department so we can get them addressed with the Company. We also encourage you to complete the survey provided by Sedgwick after the IOD filing process is complete.

Note: The new reporting process has not changed state laws regarding treatment. To reference current laws applicable to your state, consult the AA IOD pamphlet that you will receive via email following the IOD report.

Bellia Peckson
APFA National IOD Chair
[email protected]

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Minutes in Review – APFA Special BOD Meeting – LAA/LUS

A Special Board of Directors meeting was held in Dallas Ft Worth on December 8, 2017. In accordance with the APFA policy manual, the minutes of the meeting are now available on the APFA website:

Tentative Agenda

Roll Call

Final Agenda

Resolution 1 – Approve the Agenda

Resolution 1a – Amend the Agenda

Resolution 2 – Adjourn

Final Minutes

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Vacation Buyback Window – LUS

As a reminder, Vacation buyback will be open for bidding from January 4-13^th, 2018. The payment will be distributed in your normal June 15^th paycheck. Please keep in mind that the 401k contribution applied to your normal paycheck will apply.

Vacation buyback bidding can be accessed by going to Crew Portal > My Information > Vacations beginning at noon (CT) Thursday, January 4th until noon (CT) Saturday, January 13th. 

Helpful tips:

• The Flight Attendant Annual Vacation Buyback Reference Guide is available on the Flight Service website home page in the Helpful Links Box.
• Vacation buybacks are awarded by base in seniority order before establishing the vacation matrix. Any reduction in the vacation matrix due to vacation buyback will be equally distributed throughout the year.
• Vacation buyback days are pay/no credit, based on your longevity at the time vacation buyback is paid.Vacation buyback payments are distributed in June 2018
  • 1 to 6 days = 3:30 hours per day
  • 7 to 35 days = 4:00 hours per day

 

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4Q17 Executive Committee Meeting – LAA/LUS

The 4Q17 Executive Committee Meeting will be held at APFA Headquarters on January 25 – 26, 2018 from 0900 – 1700. All members in good standing are welcome and encouraged to attend.

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February Retirement Seminars – LAA/LUS

The APFA Retirement Department will be hosting the following upcoming retirement seminars in February:

These popular and informative briefings cover a wide range of topics, including:

• 401(k)
• Pensions
• Retiree Travel
• Medicare

The APFA Retirement Handout, “Good Slide!”, is distributed to each participant. The handout follows the slide show presentation, and also contains checklists and contact information to make sure you get everything you have coming to you.

You should attend your first Retirement Seminar no later than 10 years before you think you will retire, but it’s never too early to attend one of these meetings! If you’d like a copy of the “Good Slide!” handout, it’s also available for download from the APFA Retirement Page. The handout is updated throughout the year, and the most current version is always on the website.

LAA Flight Attendants can pull a pension estimate by visiting the Pension Service Center on Jetnet.

LUS Flight Attendants can request a pension estimate in the mail by calling the PBGC at (800)400-7242.

Guests (such as spouses) are also welcome to attend. Be advised that for seminars located within the secure side of the terminals, you will need to go thru TSA screening.

For any seminar located within the secure side of the terminal, you can also request a gate pass for your guest from the ticket counter. Feel free to contact our department for further instructions or assistance.

All members, regardless of their base or seniority, are welcome to attend any seminar. Start the New Year off right and come learn about retirement!

Ron Harris
APFA National Retirement Specialist
[email protected]

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Uniform Reaction Report Count – LAA/LUS