4.07.23 – Management’s (dis)ConnectMe

Friday, April 7, 2023

Management’s (dis)ConnectMe

This week the company implemented a new procedure for Flight Attendants’ use of the new ConnectMe Teams app during the boarding process. This procedure includes acknowledging two messages from agents.

APFA vehemently disagrees with the procedure to acknowledge impending door closure and has let management know. Here are some of our concerns:

• We are safety professionals. Our focus, as safety professionals, is maintaining a safe and secure environment for our passengers. These acknowledgments during the boarding process in ConnectMe Teams are a distraction from our safety responsibilities.
• We are already a highly scrutinized and micromanaged work group. Management have put into place a harsh attendance and performance policy. They should not be adding a new performance piece that could lead to more discipline which could likely lead to termination.
• We are in negotiations. The company has not yet responded to the economic proposals presented by APFA a month ago, including boarding pay. Management should be negotiating changes to our work responsibilities directly with the APFA Negotiating Committee, not through unilateral policy and procedure changes.

It is clear this management team, led by Senior Vice President of Inflight, Brady Byrnes, is completely disconnected from Flight Attendants. They clearly do not understand the day-to-day responsibilities of our jobs. Management’s focus on “the final countdown” (D-10, D-5, D-0) already places tremendous pressure on Flight Attendants during the boarding process. They should not be unilaterally adding additional job duties during this critical phase of our work day.

If you are contacted by anyone from the company for failing to acknowledge a ConnectMe Teams message, save all communications and contact your local Union representatives immediately.

In Solidarity,

Julie Hedrick
APFA National President

Larry Salas
APFA National Vice President