12.21.18 – Miami Base Brief

 

Happy Holidays Miami! This is a very important base brief for December. We are focusing on only two topics: Support and Help.As always, continue to call us with your daily questions and base concerns. We have base reps on call after hours and on weekends.

Professional Standards

What is Professional Standards?

The APFA Professional Standards is a voluntary, confidential peer-to-peer service offering members the opportunity to resolve conflicts or concerns with co-workers without management involvement. The only way this program works is if all parties cooperate. The goal is conflict resolution, not discipline.

There is no such thing as a perfect trip, a perfect day, a perfect relationship, or a perfect person. Perception is the key. When it comes to crew members, what was a perfectly satisfactory trip to one may have been a living nightmare to the one on the other side of the cart or the cockpit door. Too often, a bad trip can be attributed to conflict with our colleagues.

Conflict occurs when our expectations of others, or our job performance goals and objectives aren’t shared. We always hope our differences will be few, but should conflicts arise Professional Standards can discuss them openly and resolve them quickly, without Company intervention.

The APFA Professional Standards Representatives in Miami are available to facilitate conflict resolution by reflecting your concerns before problems deteriorate into unmanageable turmoil on the airplane – or even escalate into action by the Company.

Our goals are to:

• Support and enhance the standing of the Flight Attendant profession
• Promote professionalism and restore professional conduct
• Ensure a safe working environment
• Provide the opportunity to disclose and effectively resolve problems in a voluntarily confidential, though not anonymous, manner
• Develop and enhance conflict resolution skills among members through a facilitative conflict resolution process

Who we are and what we do:

• Monitor the voicemail extension designated for Miami,
• Gather information,
• Remain objective and neutral,
• Act as a facilitator to understand the Flight Attendant’s goals and/or intentions,
• Identify options to meet the caller’s needs,
• Collaborate in developing an action plan to address the interests of all parties.

APFA encourages the use of Professional Standards rather than engaging the formal involvement of the Company. By utilizing Professional Standards, it offers the involved parties confidentiality and the ability to maintain control of the outcome of a conflict. Often the accuser in a conflict ends up with discipline themselves when disputes go into the office.

Types of concerns handled:

• Personality and communication differences,
• Conflicting work/personal habits,
• Unprofessional or unethical workplace behavior

Types of concerns NOT handled:

• Issues actively being addressed by the Company or federal regulations,
• Training or skills deficiencies,
• Contractual issues,
• APFA internal political matters,
• Trip trade posting errors on ETB.

The APFA Professional Standards program encourages our members to act with integrity, treat others with honesty, and take responsibility for their own ethical behavior. By promoting this Standard of Conduct, we ensure fair treatment for all of our members in the workplace.

Our Professional Standards Representatives are available to assist when there is a problem with professional conduct that the parties have been unable to address themselves. Behaving ethically is at the core of professional behavior. Our Professional Standards representatives also work closely with the APA (pilots) Professional Standards program. If you have an issue with a pilot, contact APFA Professionals Standards. APFA reps will coordinate with APA.

It has been reported that Flight Attendants are not returning the Professional Standards’ initial or subsequent calls. Please make a return call if you receive one. They are not there to judge you, or the situation. At the end of the day, it’s in your best interest to be a part of the process.

Professional Standards Reps Miami:

Gina Blakely
917.749.5032

Christine Grandillo
917.549.8177

They do a fabulous job, and most of it is on their own time. We appreciate them!

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

We have seen an increase in substance abuse issues in Miami this year. Most concerning is how many of these issues involve co-workers being accused of reporting to work under the influence, on duty under the influence, or consuming intoxicants while on duty. All of these situations, if confirmed, could result in a lifetime DOT bar from working in the transportation industry in a safety sensitive job.

If you find yourself or suspect a coworker, of being under the influence, take action to remedy the situation by contacting someone we have provided in this brief and removing yourself or that person from duty IMMEDIATELY. It’s extremely important to always keep in mind that there are various medical conditions and side effects from prescription medications that cause people to be, or appear to be, impaired. All impairments are not necessarily illicit drug or alcohol related which makes seeking help so important.

We have excellent EAP resources in Miami, so if you or someone you know needs support we can connect you with someone who can help. EAP is a health resource available to you as an employee. Your confidentiality is of utmost importance. If an employee doesn’t get the help they need on their own terms and they have an issue at work, the Company is demonstrating swift, decisive, and harsh action.

For those of you, who don’t suffer from the burden of addiction or mental illness, please remember these are very serious health conditions. Your peers, whose lives are not well at times, need your support.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us and let us know how we can help. All contact numbers are above and below. You WILL get someone on the phone if you call the numbers!

Employee Assistance (EAP) Contacts:

24 Hour Line
800.363.7190

Miami EAP Leader for American Airlines
Eleonora Campolieto
305.526.0727

APFA Headquarters EAP
817.540.0108, ext. 8701

Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT)

CIRT is a team of volunteer Flight Attendants who assist our peers confidentially with traumatic events and any urgent matters if a Flight Attendant is in distress.

Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT)
800.998.8194

Miami CIRT Rep, Joe Stanko
305.761.6169

Flight Attendants in Recovery (FAIR)

Monthly meetings are held for Flight Attendants in, or thinking about recovery. Miami is the third base to have recently been added to this new program.

For more information, meeting dates and times, your contact is:

Chad Maddox
305.984.4562
[email protected]

Support and Help! We have provided 12 phone numbers in this Brief for immediate support if you need it. Please reach out if you are in crisis or distress. Take care of yourself and each other. You have many resources!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! Until next time, fly safely!

Randy                                   Melinda
[email protected]                       [email protected]