2.20.19 – The Weekly Scoop

TTS Chains 

Q: Why was my TTS choice awarded to someone junior? 

A: The TTS optimizer will use all submitted ballots in a run  to satisfy the most senior Flight Attendant’s request including a request/choice from  a junior Flight Attendant.  When your ballot is used to satisfy a more senior Flight Attendant’s request, the optimizer will use any of your requests/choices, regardless of how they are ranked. Once the optimizer reaches your seniority, it will attempt to satisfy your requests in the order you ranked them and adds the results for each choice at that time. This is a frequent question that comes through the Systems Issues Reports.

Visit the link below for additional information:
https://aa.mc.wg1.kontiki.com/global2/player?moid=341f96ce-1b0a-4d24-9fbf-9571a1602932

-Renee Mayer, APFA JCBA Specialist, [email protected]

Labor Rights are NOT Guaranteed

Last week, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) reintroduced the National Right to Work Act (S. 525).

APFA opposes Right to Work and any weakening of the labor movement. Right to Work laws mandate that members of a work group cannot be compelled to join or pay dues to a union. In addition to undermining the labor movement, these laws create a “free rider” problem where some workers get to benefit from union gains without contributing to the effort. Right to Work essentially eliminates the ability for unions to negotiate a contract of employment with their employer on behalf of all of their members.

Currently, 27 states have Right to Work laws. However, last year voters in Missouri struck down a statewide Right to Work initiative and upheld the rights of working people.

But, in a blow to unions last year, the Supreme Court ruled that public-sector employees do not have to pay fees to a union. While APFA is a private-sector union and not directly affected by the Janus v. AFSCME decision, APFA would be harmed by a national Right to Work law. Working people deserve a voice.

– Allie Malis, APFA National Government Affairs Representative, [email protected]

Don’t Miss Out!
Vacation Bidding Deadline – February 28th

Don’t forget to bid for your 2019/2020 vacation. The deadline is February 28^th –  1200 DFW time.

• Go to Crew Portal < Monthly Bids < PBS or Non-PBS Base < Vacation, then select AVBA at the top of the screen.

Additionally, the second round of Mock bidding is now open until February 24^th – 1200 DFW time.

– Alin Boswell, Julie Hedrick, Linda Haertling, Vicki Balistreri, APFA Joint Scheduling Implementation Committee, [email protected]

401(k) Special Election for Profit Sharing Deadline – February 22nd!

With a profit sharing pay-out coming on or around March 8^th 2019, it’s important to understand the Special Election process. It’s also a good time to explain what you are eligible for in terms of Company match and contributions to your 401(k).

As with last year’s pay-out, to make a contribution (and get the company match, if eligible) you must make a selection in the SPECIAL ELECTION section under CONTRIBUTIONS on the Fidelity website. Your Regular Elections which are currently on file will not apply to your profit sharing award.

The company will contribute money in your 401(k) based on your profit sharing award. All Flight Attendants with at least one year of company seniority will be eligible for the following:

• A 3% Company contribution. The 3% Company contribution will be made regardless of how much is designated as a Special Election.
• A Company match of 2.5%. In order to receive the Company match, of 2.5%, Flight Attendants will need to make a Pre-tax or Roth Special Election contribution of at least 2.5%.

Special Elections need to be completed by 4:00 p.m. ET on February 22^nd in order to be processed in time for the profit sharing pay-out and can be made by logging into http://www.netbenefits.com/aa or by calling the American Airlines 401(k) Center at Fidelity at (800) 354-3412. Administrative questions and concerns can be directed to your American Airlines 401(k) team at [email protected] .

– Kim Tuck, APFA National Retirement Specialist, [email protected]