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10.23.19 – Weekly Scoop

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

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Congratulations to 2020 Recipients of the Martha W. Griffiths Award

From left to right: John Nikides, LAX President, George Price, Ad Hoc, Randy Trautman, MIA President, Steve Watson, Ad Hoc, Patrick Hancock, Ad Hoc

At the Annual Fall Board of Directors Meeting held in Hurst, Texas, APFA bestowed its highest award, the Martha W. Griffiths Award to John Nikides, George Price, Randy Trautman, Steve Watson and Patrick Hancock.  The prestigious award which is given to current or former APFA representatives for their accomplishments and achievements, will be presented to the recipients at the 2020 Annual Convention in Los Angeles, CA.

Article III, Sections 3.L (14) and (15) of the APFA Constitution

 


Shop Union


UAW at General Motors Reach a Tentative Agreement

Congratulations to UAW-GM on reaching a Tentative Agreement with GM. Negotiating a ratifiable contract for UAW-GM’s 47,000 members is a massive undertaking. APFA admires the strength, solidarity, and resolve of the UAW and its leadership.

 


National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, to be held on Saturday October 26th, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. The Take Back Day provides an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.

This is a great opportunity for those who missed previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to dispose of those medications easily and safely.

For more information, including a Collection Site Locator, public service announcements, resources and treatment information, please visit DEA’s website: https://takebackday.dea.gov/

 


APFA Endorses Senator Ed Markey for Re-election

Last week, APFA endorsed Senator Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts for re-election to the United States Senate.

Calling Senator Markey “a tireless fighter for critical safety and security issues for Flight Attendants and the general public,” Lori Bassani, National President stated “Ed Markey has stood with Flight Attendants and taken the lead on our issues over the years and made aviation safer and more secure. This is why we are supporting him.”

Watch the video by clicking the link below:

See APFA National President Lori Bassani’s endorsement

 


Benefit Open Enrollment Ends Nov. 1


** CORRECTION **  In a hotline sent today (10/23/2019) there was a typographical error in the enrollment year. Open enrollment began October 21, 2019 and will end November 1, 2019.


Health Accounts

Health Savings Account (HSA): CORE plan, contributions carry over & never lose your contributions.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Standard, High Cost Coverage, DFW ConnectedCare plans, only $500 carries over the rest is lost, remaining balance must be used prior to the end of the year.

Recommendation:

When your enrollment is completed, it’s highly recommended that you print-out or ensure you have a confirmation page sent to the e-mail you provided, even if you are not making changes to your current elections, we suggest you go online and print-out or take a photograph of your current coverage.

On a leave of absence?

If you are currently enrolled in medical, dental or vision coverage, you may make changes to only that coverage during Annual Enrollment if you are current on your direct bill payments.

 


Is Your Hotel Room Phone Working?


When you enter your hotel room on an overnight, please make sure your room phone is working properly.  Call the front desk as a trial run/test.  A working landline phone is important for your safety and security. We are aware many crew members have cell phones, but this routine check serves as an extra level of protection.

Immediately report inoperative room phones to the front desk and report to APFA via a Hotel and Transportation Feedback Form.

 

QI/QD After Clearing From an IOD

If you are QI/QD after clearing from your IOD, CQ online lessons are only good for that month of completion.

For example, if you complete online lessons in October, you will need to attend CQ in October if you are QI/QD; if you attend in November, you will be required to complete your online lessons again.

Remember, your fingerprints must also be current. If you have questions regarding your fingerprints, please contact the Training Support Desk at [email protected].

 

Change to FOI Guide  – Position Trades in UBL 

The FOI Guide has been updated to reflect a change in how position trades are processed.  At this time, there is no way for a scheduler to know that a trade request is a position trade for the same sequence on the same day.  The TTS / UBL team is looking for ways to automate this type of trade, however until this can be programmed, position trades will be treated the same as any other trade in UBL. 

If you have not waived your call, are on a sequence or legal rest, crew scheduling will not award the trade unless positive contact has been made.

 

Retirement Seminars – Are You Ready?

The Retirement Department will be conducting the following seminars in November:

  • November 7th – MIA – 1100-1400 – Third Floor Conference Room before Operations
  • November 12th – DFW – 1100-1400 – APFA Unity Pays Conference Room, APFA Headquarters, 1004 W. Euless Blvd, Euless, TX

Seminars cover a wide range of topics including: Retiree Travel, 401(K), Pensions, COBRA, and Medicare.

Legacy American Airlines Flight Attendants: Download a pension estimate from the Pension Service Center page on Jetnet.

Legacy US Airways Flight Attendants: Request a copy of their pension estimate from the PBGC by calling 800-400-7242.

Members unable to attend the seminars are always welcome to watch the retirement webinar series available on the APFA Retirement Page, as well as download the Good Slide! retirement handout.

Everyone is welcome regardless of base or seniority – no need to RSVP.

Remember – it’s never too early to start planning for retirement

 


KCM Program Changes

We still hear from many of you in regard to the program changes that were put into effect with KCM. APFA has posted the most up-to-date information from TSA on the APFA Safety & Security page.

To access the document:

https://www.apfa.org/departments/safety-security-department/

 

I heard that I don’t have to wear my uniform when I sit standby. Is that true?

FICTION: Per the JCBA Section 12.f.1, if assigned standby duty you must be in uniform.

F. STANDBY RESERVE
1. A Standby is a Reserve (Standby) who has been awarded or assigned Standby duty in uniform at the airport without a specific flight assignment for the purpose of covering a sequence in order to prevent a delay. A Standby may also be utilized for the purpose of deplaning, boarding or remaining with through passengers on the aircraft.

 


As of today, there have been 5,121 Flight Attendants who have filed uniform reaction reports.

Please continue to utilize the Uniform Reaction Report Form on the APFA website if you experience a suspected reaction to your uniform.

APFA Headquarters
1004 West Euless Boulevard
Euless, Texas 76040

M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108

Call APFA

Contract & Scheduling Desk
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108

Chat APFA

After-Hours Live Chat
Weekends / Holidays: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)

APFA Events

Safety/Security Virtual Town Hall

November 7 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

APFA Headquarters
1004 West Euless Boulevard
Euless, Texas 76040

M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108

Call APFA

Contract & Scheduling Desk
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108

Chat APFA

After-Hours Live Chat
Weekends / Holidays: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)

APFA Events

Safety/Security Virtual Town Hall

November 7 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

APFA Headquarters
1004 West Euless Boulevard
Euless, Texas 76040

M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108

Call APFA

Contract & Scheduling Desk
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108

Chat APFA

After-Hours Live Chat
Weekends / Holidays: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)

APFA Events

Safety/Security Virtual Town Hall

November 7 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
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