1.21.23 – APFA LGA Base Brief – Busy & Strong

Saturday, January 21, 2023

APFA LGA Base Brief – Busy & Strong

Our Colleagues Return From DEL

After the incident in DEL, I am relieved to report that all our colleagues in DEL are now back in the US. I want to allow them time to reunite with their loved ones and do all the other things they need to recover fully. I will ensure we share more information, including some things we learned from this incident that would help us all as we travel around the world. Please refrain from public posts that may trigger unpleasant feelings for all of them and those affected.

JFK Aircraft Incident – LHR

I continue to discuss with management the incident that has left many questions unanswered and two crews dealing with the aftereffects. While we do all we can to take care of the crews and support one another, we must simultaneously work hard to learn, prepare, and prevent what is already happening.

JFK Employee Bus Pick-Up Drop-Off Poll

There is a base poll on APFA.org on the JFK Airport employee Lot 12 bus pick-up drop-off. Thank you to all who have taken the time to cast your vote. As of this morning, about 87 votes have been cast. I will not use comments on social media for any decision. We created the poll to give each member in good standing the ability to provide their input privately.

The poll will remain open until Sunday, January 22nd at 2359 (ET).

Click Here to Take the LGA Employee Bus Poll

EWR New Terminal – Missing Crew Ops

The new terminal A at EWR Liberty Airport is beautiful and modern, but our crew room and the facility are below standard. If you are on reserve, I urge you to pay attention and support our demand for a crew room that meets contractual standards and reflects industry standards. I have filed a Base Notice of Dispute, and I am working closely with the Pilots APA team here in New York to ensure American does the right thing, and we won’t stop until they do. Crew rooms are our safe space when we come to work, including in any dangerous situation at any airport, as we have seen in the news way too often. We all are responsible for advocating for our quality of work life regardless of our individual preferences. I appreciate your support.

New York Flight Attendants Call to Action

We will conduct our second contract action on Tuesday, January 24, at JFK Airport, 11 am-1 pm. We will have an informational picketing event to raise the volume on the need for a fair contract that reflects our hard work and the many factors that the pandemic injected into our work -lives. Hotels, transportation, and many other essential languages are on the line, so we must show up in New York Fashion. I will send out a reminder official base brief early Monday to reach as many New York flight attendants as possible. Please remember that you can bring your friends, family, and colleagues from other airlines and sectors. The fight for a fair contract has always been the LABOR fight.

Click Here to join the CAT (Contract ACTION Team) and become an activist.

As a reminder, we have several important votes coming up, including voting on a tentative agreement. If you are in dues arrears or have a balance with the APFA, please get in touch with the [email protected] folks and discuss your options. Being in dues arrears happens, but we need your support in being in good standing, so we may show a strong front and deliver a more potent punch at the things we need for a better quality of work life. Only members in good standing can participate in any vote that impacts any member or the union itself.

Hotel & Transportation

American is responsible for booking transportation and lodging for crews. BizHero is not part of our Contract.

Attendance

Notices are essential. Please respond to any notices from your AFSM. Do not commit to a date for a meeting until you have discussed it with your representative. We recommend always copying in your local base reps when communicating with Management. You may address any attendance issues via [email protected]

Grooming Checks

We are receiving reports of managers doing grooming checks at the gate on the airplanes. If you have an issue with uniform orders or missing pieces, keep your documentation or charges.

Flights Delayed/Next Day- Delayed Flights Until the Next Day
(Formerly Known as Deferred Flights)

Deferred flights no longer exist. If your flight is delayed until the next day, in order for you to be scheduled to fly it, they will need to catch you up to your original trip, returning on the same date and time as your original trip (JCBA Section 10.J.7.). If this is possible, you will receive call out pay and a hotel for the first day of the trip, as well as the pay for the sequence. If Crew Scheduling cannot catch you up to your original trip and another Flight Attendant flies your original sequence, you are paid according to the crew substitution provisions.

Conversations with Management

Managers are not your friends. They are your managers. Any discussion with Management can lead to corrective action. Management must offer you the opportunity of union representation for all discussions. If this is not provided to you, it is your right to ask to have the conversation in the presence of a union representative or other FA as a witness. Please let us know when you are not offered an opportunity for representation. Once you have engaged in a conversation that leads to even a coach/counsel, you have waived your union rights. Your contract rights are your responsibility to know. Remember that while a relationship with your manager is essential, that relationship must begin concerning your contract and all the rights agreed to in it.

CERS Reports

Filing a CERS report is critical for all departments within APFA and AA to be notified of any incident or issue that you deem important or require assistance. You are allowed to file a CERS while on duty from your EFB.

Social Media

We are seeing a sudden rise in social media investigations, especially with TikTok. Please familiarize yourself with the social media policy. If you have any questions or doubts about what is appropriate, do not post them and consult with one of us.

I look forward to seeing most of you!
Tuesday at JFK, 11am – 1pm – Warm beverages will be available
We Are Ready!

In Solidarity,

Christian M. Santana
APFA LGA Base President
[email protected]

Penelope King
APFA LGA Base Vice President
[email protected]

PROUD to represent New York-LGA