8.07.19 – Weekly Scoop

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

 

Special Board of Directors’ Meeting – Aug 12th
I am calling a Special Board of Directors meeting for Monday, August 12, 2019 at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites DFW West, Hurst, Texas. The meeting will address important issues such as union finances relating to policy and practice of computation for former officer pay distributions, the Company’s hotel link test during IROPS, legislative affairs, negotiations and APFA support for UNITE HERE!

All members in good standing are welcome and encouraged to attend.

-Lori Bassani, APFA National President, [email protected]

UNITE HERE!   Rally Aug 13th 

18,000 airline catering workers who prepare and transport food and beverages are some of the poorest paid in the airline industry.

Join UNITE HERE! at their rally Tuesday, Aug 13th at AA Headquarters or stop by their picket lines at DFW Airport, Tues (1600-1900), Weds (0700-1700), and Thurs (0700-1200) to lend your support.

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August 1st, APFA hosted our third Telephone Town Hall meeting of the year. The Telephone Town Halls are a forum for our members to ask questions of our leadership and to hear timely updates from APFA.

-Robin Charbonneau, APFA National Communications Chair, [email protected]

U.S. Aviation Jobs at Stake

This week, Forbes reported that President Trump sided with Qatar Airways/Air Italy and against U.S. airline workers in the Open Skies dispute. The recent White House meeting included the CEO’s of American Airlines, United Airlines, JetBlue, FedEx, Atlas Air, as well as the CEO of state-owned Qatar Airways, Akbar al-Baker.

“Trump ran [for office] on the issue of keeping American jobs in the U.S. But that’s not how it played out” in the White House meeting, APFA National President Lori Bassani said. “Instead, the President sided with the Middle East airlines. It was a shock to us.”

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tedreed/2019/08/05/qatar-airwaysair-italy-us-flights-continue-after-white-house-meeting-tilts-against-us-airline-workers/amp/

At issue is the on-going government subsidization of Qatar, Emirates and Etihad Airways. These carriers have continually violated Open Skies agreements by operating routes into the U.S. with intermediate stops, usually in Europe, where they pick up and discharge passengers. Because of the subsidies, the Middle East and U.S. carriers are not competing on a level playing field. Qatar has also been investing state money in propping up Air Italy as a way to circumnavigate the latest Open Skies agreements.

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

APFA understands that there is some confusion concerning the Aflac split direct deposit deadline. If you have not received a letter from Aflac with your new routing and account numbers, do not be alarmed. Aflac is in the process of sending it to our members. The deadline for those who have yet to receive the document has been extended to August 31, 2019.

Aflac has assured APFA that no member will be harmed by the delay. Coverage remains intact and claims are still being processed.

If you need to file a claim, download the forms from the Aflac enrollment page on the APFA website

https://www.apfa.org/?s=Aflac++

If you have questions about your split direct deposit payments and account information, email the dedicated corporate Aflac Rep, Lana Klimek at [email protected].

Annual open enrollment begins September 2, 2019. Our membership will have direct customer service representation available to walk you through the process and answer your questions.

FMLA 

When submitting FMLA paperwork, ensure all questions are filled out properly.  Print a copy of the completed paperwork to reference should there be any issues.

Keep in mind, if you are filing FMLA paperwork and you have an acute medical condition, you must seek medical attention within 7 days. You have 17 days to send in paperwork from the date you call out sick.

Designated Intermittent FMLA

Flight Attendants must notify the Flight Attendant Service Center – FMLA team no later than 2 calendar days from the date you return to work that an absence is related to your FMLA leave.

Return to Work (RTW) is defined as any one of the following:

1. Flying a trip
2. Reserve Day or Stand-by (even if not flown)
3. Available day – AA only (even if not flown)
4. Attending Training of any kind
5. Special Assignment/Company Business APFA/AA

-Cathy Sharp, APFA Interim Health Chair, [email protected]

– Julia Simpson, APFA National Hotel Chair, [email protected]

Metlife Long Term Disability (LTD) While on an IOD

Only available to those who have Long Term Disability (LTD) coverage. Short term disability does not cover an approved work related  injury.

Always file your LTD claim as soon as possible. There is a one year filing deadline from the date of injury.

The LTD claim form is available on the Health and Benefits page of Jetnet.