8.20.21 – APFA LGA Base Brief – Friday, August 20, 2021

Friday, August 20, 2021

APFA Honors the life of former LGA Base Vice Chair, Phillip Clifton

Phillip Clifton was a colleague, friend, and strong advocate who stepped up to serve the membership when called at a time of need. He had a well-known witty, humorous, and compassionate way that won over the hearts of all he came across. Phillip could be frank and yet embrace whatever difficulty was in front of him with respect and compassion. New York-LGA extends our deepest condolences to his life partner, Arturo Torres, former LGA FA, APFA member and a colleague we embrace during this moment of grief.

We honor Phillip Clifton for his service & friendship with respect, love, and gratitude.

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Tropical Storm Henri

Hurricane watches were issued for parts of the Northeast coast as Henri makes a move to the north. Flight Attendants may face IROP’s and all the other difficulties that come with the weather. Please familiarize yourself with the On-Duty Limitations, as well as the “When-do-i-go-illegal?” pdf to calculate legalities. APFA has put out numerous hotlines that can be found on the APFA website regarding rescheduling and what is considered legal or not. It is the responsibility of each Flight Attendant to know their contractual rights and any language that protects them from the company violating this language. Please remember that the contract and scheduling desk is available for you to have many questions answered and the live-chat option on the APFA website. If you are a commuter, please familiarize yourself with the commuter policy, and keep the contact numbers handy for each of the airport’s FYI centers.

LGA/EWR MOD 718-476-4320
JFK MOD 718-476-4320
DAILY OPS 672-315-7070 24/7

APFA Live Messaging
Monday – Friday: 1500 – 2300 (CDT)
Weekends and Holidays: 0900 – 1700 (CDT)
(Link may be found on homepage of APFA.org)

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Tel Aviv Self-Quarantine

I have heard from many of you on the unfortunate retraction of the Israeli government allowing flight crews to obtain the Green-pass to forego the strict measures that hold us hostage in our rooms while on this trip. I have approached the company on reimbursing any costs incurred, and the company maintains that this was at the discretion of each Flight Attendant, and they will not reimburse. I am in discussions with the company on hopefully obtaining some relief that can lessen the burden these health ministries have imposed on our quality of work-life. I hear all your concerns and ask that you allow me a few days to collaborate with the company and hopefully find a way to resolve this temporary but challenging phase of the pandemic for this route. Israel is not like any other market, and the cultural dynamic is one we respect and embrace as a new and exciting market. Still, the company must also own the responsibility of caring for our quality of work-life while on duty. I will update the base as soon as I have more information in a few days. In the meantime, I ask that you keep all receipts of all expenses incurred while in TLV. Although I cannot promise you what I don’t have yet, I can promise you to fight for what is right.

You are welcomed to email our regional director, Sam Maher [email protected], and Director of Base Operations Frank Morales with your concerns, [email protected].

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New York Base Meeting: September 1st, 2021

Please save the date. Our base meeting will be on September 1st, 2021. We will have two sessions due to the restrictions of social distancing. 9am-12pm & 1pm-3pm. We will broadcast the meeting live so that as many as possible can tune in, and we will have the meeting available on the APFA website LGA page. The meeting will be at an LGA Airport Hotel property. The location will be announced Monday, September 23rd via an official base brief to all LGA Flight Attendants. All members in good standing are welcomed to attend the in-person portion. If you have questions about your dues status, please contact [email protected].

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Professional Standards

As Union members, we have professional standards that helps us resolve any conflicts we may face at work and help resolve any differences privately. There are times when an issue is too personal and a decision may be made to pursue a subject further, and I respect each Flight Attendant’s decision on how they want to pursue a matter. I always make sure that we all understand the resources we have fought long and hard to put in place that truly defines the culture of a Union. As officers, we do not initiate investigations; we do not tell members how to exercise their rights. We have a duty to fairly represent all members, regardless of any bias or personal opinion. When the company approaches a member for any meeting or discussion, the member remains within their sole right to request Union representation or not. We do not chase cases; we merely give our members courtesy information. We know our work-lives can be hectic, and vital resources, such as asking for representation, can be overlooked in the middle of the hassle. I am in the process of taking a good look at how a professional standards resource best works to benefit the needs of our base specifically. We have a great resource now but need more, and I will make sure we have it soon.

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EAP/CIRT

This week I attended a Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program (FADAP) conference in Baltimore, along with our National President Julie Hedrick and other colleagues. I left this conference with a lot of energy and excitement after seeing so many resources and collaboration. Here at American, we have pioneered in helping Flight Attendants through unimaginable trauma and many real-life difficulties. Abby Alconcher-Ahrens, Patty French, Susie Wallace, Sharon Dunn, Sonia Rodriguez, just to name a few, are individuals that have built perhaps one of the most robust support systems in a labor Union environment. I say this not because I heard but because I personally know the lives these women have helped save and change. Susie Wallace started the CIRT program, a lifeline that provides time and resources after events that can be traumatic and life-altering. So, after I left this conference, and having conversed with several facility representatives and being introduced to many colleagues I have not met, I am determined to raise awareness. We may not have the quantity, but we have a more important thing, the quality, and can continue to build on, with as much integrity and pursuit we have had since the inception of our EAP & CIRT programs. I am grateful to the FADAP program for helping me realize the value in what we already have and should be continuing to build on. EAP/CIRT is you, me, and our families, onboard and off-duty, helping one another, whenever, however, in unity.

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As your base President, my most important goal is to always focus my time on what will directly improve your quality of work-life. I may not always show or tell you how, when, or why, but I want you to know that I am fully invested in all that affects us. We are living and working through very confusing and challenging times. On the airplanes, airports, layovers, at home, and on our way to/from. Please always find a fraction of time in your day to do nothing or something you enjoy; it is essential to carry us through these times. I am so proud to represent New York, each of you, and all that affect us.

I am trying to keep these briefs shorter, so I will be back with an update soon.

Please fly safe and take care of one another.

In Unity,

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

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

Proud to Represent New York-LGA