5.27.21 – Update: Early Boarding Presidential Grievance

Thursday, May 27, 2021

Update: Early Boarding Presidential Grievance

Last week, in an attempt to resolve the outstanding Early Boarding Presidential Grievance, APFA and the Company met for mediation with a mediator from the National Mediation Board. We were unable to reach an agreement that satisfied the needs of APFA and its members regarding early boarding. The Company maintains that no language in the JCBA prohibits them from boarding early. APFA disagrees. Section 11.M and 14.F clearly define boarding times and the time required to be on board the aircraft ready to receive passengers. This language was carried over from the Legacy US Airways contract and originated as far back as 1976.

Based on continued reports from Flight Attendants, we have seen early boarding become the norm rather than the exception. Many times, even after the boarding time has been established during the Departure Dependability Briefing, passengers are being sent down early and before Flight Attendants are ready to receive passengers. This is unacceptable. APFA maintains that the Company must follow the language of the JCBA regarding boarding times, and agents must refrain from requesting boarding earlier than published guidelines. Doing so places the Flight Attendant in a position of possible contract violation. It is our responsibility to ensure that we follow and enforce the language of the JCBA.

Our next step in the process is Arbitration. Unfortunately, due to an Arbitrator scheduling error, our original Arbitration date of July 7-8th has been postponed. We are currently in the process of rescheduling the Early Boarding Arbitration for Fall 2021.

In the meantime, please continue to submit your reports of early boarding violations. We have created a new online reporting form on the APFA website. The link may be found under ‘Forms’ on the APFA home page with instructions for the required information. Please discontinue the use of the previous APFA early boarding email address to submit reports. By utilizing this new online form, we will compile and track these claims more efficiently.

As Lead or Purser, please coordinate with the agent during the Departure Dependability Briefing the time Flight Attendants are ready to receive passengers based on the aircraft and market of your flight as established in Section 11.M and Section 14.F of the JCBA below.

In Solidarity,

Larry Salas
APFA National Vice President
[email protected]