7.16.20 – APFA PHL Base Brief – WARN Notifications

Thursday, July 16, 2020

WARN Notifications

Philadelphia Flight Attendants,

Yesterday, the Company sent WARN notifications to the most junior 9,950 Flight Attendants on our seniority list. A WARN notification protects workers and their families by requiring employers to provide 60 days notice before any involuntary loss of employment, which would include furloughs. Employers typically provide themselves a buffer and send out more notifications than actually may be necessary to ensure they comply with federal law.

American Airlines has stated they are projecting the need to reduce their Flight Attendant headcount by 7000-8000 due to the lack of demand brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have a date of hire on April 12, 2002, or later, you are in the WARN notification group. Please remember, this does not necessarily mean you will be involuntarily furloughed. Our Contract does provide a process for a reduction in force in Section 23.

Your APFA leadership has been working with the Company to offer a VEOP program and extended Voluntary Leaves in hopes of mitigating involuntary furloughs. Please click here for information about the programs being offered.

APFA is committed to doing everything we can to mitigate as many involuntary furloughs as possible. As part of that commitment, APFA has linked arms with other labor Unions to support the extension of the CARES Act, which would significantly reduce the need for furloughs. We need your help with this. Please click here to send a message to your representatives in Washington, D.C.

This is going to be a tough time for all of us. Anxiety and stress levels will be at an all-time high. Resources are available through the APFA Employee Assistance Program. We will get through this and come out stronger on the other side. For many of us, we have lived through this a few times, and we are still here to talk about it. We will navigate this journey through Unity, standing strong together, supporting each other, supporting your leadership, and remaining calm and professional. Most importantly, please continue to take care of our passengers because we need them to continue to choose American Airlines. Our jobs depend on it.

Please visit APFA.org, check mobile CCI for information from the Company, and stay informed through credible resources. Social media is a great venue; however, please remember to fact check before falling prey to the rumor mill. If you have any questions, please reach out to us.

In Solidarity,

Kim Kaswinkel
APFA PHL Base President
[email protected]

Tracey Montanari
APFA PHL Base Vice President
[email protected]