4.13.21 – APFA LGA Base Brief – Base Notices of Dispute Filed

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

APFA LGA Base Brief – Base Notices of Dispute Filed

Yesterday, I filed four (4) Base Notices of Dispute (NODs) with the Company regarding critical issues that pertain to our safety & security while on duty anywhere around the world.

2021-LGA-7

Contact tracing is an essential part of how the Company keeps both employees and the traveling public safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Locally, the Company has no protocol to provide the APFA leadership data on who, how, or when they are tracing due to exposure. The Company must include the local leadership in conducting a very serious process to ensure no selective or convenient decisions that may benefit the Company put Flight Attendants at a disadvantage. I seek transparency and accountability to prove that the process is done promptly, allowing the local APFA leadership to answer questions our members may have without being dependent on the Company’s responses that we cannot verify.

2021-LGA-8

Whether it is with local management or any member of management, the local leadership of the APFA that represents Flight Attendants is an integral part of the overall safety of our flight crews. Any disregard for concerns brought forward by an APFA representative is unacceptable. Here in New York, the Flight Attendants’ safety and well-being are the most important parts of what I or anyone who advocates for them does. This dispute ensures the Company and your local leadership have a clear understanding of our role and their responsibility to be within reach to assist and collaborate in anything that involves our Flight Attendants.

2021-LGA-9

The 737 MAX aircraft, although safe to fly per the FAA, continues to present challenges that can affect our members with absolute reason. I am asking that the Company make certain that Flight Attendants involved in any incident regarding this aircraft be afforded a CIRT debrief. Local management should not be allowed to decide whether or not a debrief is warranted. No checklist can determine how anyone can feel after an incident having all the focus this aircraft has had. This grievance is not to put in question anything but the process post-incident that is currently in place.

2021-LGA-10

Weather, maintenance, and other forces can wreak havoc around the system with little predictability. Flight Attendants must be able to rely on an employer who, when things do not go right, does everything within their power to make them right. I seek a commitment locally from the Company to designate one member of flight service or any member of management that will be the point of contact for the local APFA leadership should our Flight Attendants face the constant lack of support now becoming the norm. Often, they do not get cooperation from departments such as scheduling, hotel/limo, and others. No Flight Attendant should be away from home or even at base and be disregarded when valid operational concerns are brought forward, contractual or not.

I plan on ensuring these disputes are heard within the allotted time, and I am prepared to deploy whatever alternative options are at my disposal. It is important for you to know these things so you are ready to support your local leadership in any efforts in which we decide to participate.

Thank you, and fly safely.

In Solidarity,

Christian M. Santana
APFA LGA Base President
[email protected]
(347) 546-0703

Penelope King
APFA LGA Base Vice President
[email protected]
(718) 350-7043

Proudly Representing New York – LGA