10.09.24 – Contract Implementation Update #7: Sequence Loss Due to Extraordinary Circumstances/ Disasters

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Contract Implementation Update #7:
Sequence Loss Due to Extraordinary Circumstances/ Natural Disasters (CBA Section 10.J.1.b)

Updated language in Section 10.J.1.b of the CBA covers pay protections for the loss of sequences due to natural disasters. This provision was implemented on October 1, 2024 (Date of Signing). This new language eliminates the need to negotiate Letters of Agreement with management for every extraordinary circumstance as we have had to do in the past.

This new language will apply to sequence cancellations due to Hurricane Milton, so please use this hotline as your guide to protect your lost time if applicable.

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Q1: What is the newly added language in the CBA?

Section 10.J.1.b states:

In the event a Lineholder loses three (3) or more full sequences (not pay protected by Section 10) because of a schedule change, including natural disaster and/or extraordinary circumstances, the following shall apply: A Lineholder shall be required to make a “reasonable effort” in order to receive pay protection under this Paragraph. A Lineholder may choose to waive pay protection for all or some of the sequences and be released from any obligation to remain available to the Company. This provision is to address the major issues specified above and is not intended to apply to normal scheduling changes affecting individual Flight Attendants.

Q2: What constitutes “reasonable effort?”

In order to fulfill the “reasonable effort”, a Lineholder will be required to satisfy all of 1 and 2 below:

1. Bid for “like sequences” in TTS for the applicable bid month following notification of the full sequence cancellation. TTS requests do not have to be for the original days of canceled sequence(s) and do not have to be consecutive.

A like sequence (comparable to the cancelled sequence) shall have: 

• comparable check-in/out times (at least one (1) hour before and one (1) hour after the original report and release times); and
• same number of day(s); and 
• Domestic for Domestic or IPD for IPD or NIPD for NIPD.

2. Make themself available in TTS for the equivalent number of TTS runs equal to the number of duty periods in cancelled sequence(s). A Lineholder may ballot for multiple sequences in 1 (one) TTS run.

This means that if you lose a turn (one duty period) you would need to ballot for like sequences in one TTS run. If you lose a two-day trip with two duty periods, you would need to ballot for like sequences in two TTS runs. If you lose a three-day trip with three duty periods, you would need to ballot for like sequences in three TTS runs. 

Example:

I am based in Philadelphia, and was notified on Tuesday, October 8th that three of my PHL-TPA-PHL turns canceled on Wednesday, October 9th, Thursday, October 10th, and Friday, October 11th due to Hurricane Milton. Since they are full sequence cancellations that are not part of my last sequences/series of sequences for the month, I am not pay protected by other provisions in section 10. How can I receive pay protections for the lost time?

To receive pay protection for these turns, you must bid for ‘like sequences.’ Additionally, you must participate in the equivalent number of TTS runs equal to the number of duty periods in the canceled sequences.

In this example, you must participate in one TTS run for each sequence lost. You may ballot for all three of your lost sequences in the same TTS run. 

Q3: What if I lose three or more sequences and I want to waive any pay protection for some or all of the sequences lost?

Section 10.J.1.b.iii states:

iii. A Lineholder may choose to waive pay protection for all or some of the sequences and be released from any obligation to remain available to the Company. 

This means you are not required to participate in this process. If you choose to waive pay protections, you are under no obligation to participate in the TTS run(s) as described above. 

Q4: If I bid for like sequence(s) to protect my canceled sequences, what will my pay protection look like?

Section 10.J.1.b.iv states:

iv. A Flight Attendant who bids for like sequences shall be pay protected for the value of the sequences lost.

This means that if you are not awarded in the TTS run(s) as described above, you will be pay protected to the original value of the sequence lost, including premiums. If you are awarded one or more sequence in this process, you will be pay protected up to the original value of the sequence lost if greater than the TTS-awarded sequence.

Q5: Do I have to submit a Direct Connect claim to be pay protected?

• If you’re awarded a sequence in TTS and the value is the same or more, including premiums, than the lost sequence, no further action is required, and no additional pay protection is due.
  • If either the premiums or the sequence value awarded is less thanyour lost sequence, and you fly the awarded sequence, you must submit a Direct Connect  within five calendar days of the TTS award and include the awarded sequence details and date of the canceled sequence. Crew Compensation will then pay the difference.
• If you’re awarded (and fly) a sequence in TTS without the same premiums as the lost sequence(s), you must submit a Direct Connect within five calendar days of the TTS award and include the awarded sequence details and date of the canceled sequence. Crew Compensation will then pay the difference.
• If you’re not awarded a sequence in TTS, you must submit a Direct Connect within five calendar days of the TTS ballot and include:
  • The TTS run date; and
  • The run number; and
  •  The date of the canceled sequence being protected.

In Solidarity,

Contract Implementation Committee (CIC)
Contact the CIC here