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November 21, 2004 |
NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE
The Company and the negotiating committee will meet on Tuesday in Crystal City, VA. Our latest proposal is on the table and we expect the Company to counter during this session. The AFA proposal is on our web site. The site will be updated with the Company's proposal after we receive it. I expect this proposal may be somewhat better than the proposals we have been receiving. The Company will then be able to tell the court they have moved in our direction and that it is the Union that is now being unreasonable. We will see.
AUTHORIZATION TO STRIKE
Members in good standing will be receiving "Authorization to Strike" ballots in the mail this week. A detailed explanation of the ballot and voting instructions will be included. In short, this ballot will ask that authorization be given to the leadership to conduct a strike if our contract is terminated in court. If we are so authorized by the membership we could call for a strike in the event the court rules to abrogate our contract. Members at other carriers in bankruptcy will be receiving ballots as well and all ballots will include information regarding secondary strikes at carriers in support of the first carrier to have their contract abrogated by the bankruptcy court.
I believe it is time for this union to stand up for our careers and our contracts. While it remains our desire to reach a consensual agreement we can no longer allow the courts to be used as a vehicle to eliminate 30-40 years of collective bargaining. US Airways is indeed in poor financial condition. US Airways does have a need to restructure. US Airways should NOT be allowed to use poor management and planning as an excuse to abrogate our agreement. We have agreed to concessions twice in the past 24 months and have agreed to find a solution to the current crisis. We will not allow the Company to exceed their needs and give them everything they WANT under threat or legal maneuvering. There is a solution to every problem and it is up to US Airways to decide if they want to be a part of the answer.
Therefore, I support this cause not only as a union leader but as a Flight Attendant. We are all in a position to send a message to the Company that we are in agreement and will exercise any means necessary to save the Company and our careers.
If we have to use CHAOS we will. The company will not know when or how we will use this campaign. The goal is not to hurt the Company or our passengers. The goal is to force the Company to realize that enough is enough. There have been conflicting reports regarding the legalities of our action. The laws governing bankruptcy court and the Railway Labor Act differ and it will be up to attorneys to sort out those differences. It is important to understand that this process is likely to drag on into the New Year so please continue to do your jobs with conviction and dedication. Our job still remains to provide the best level of safety and passenger service in the industry.
"NOTICE TO TERMINATE PENSION PLANS" LETTER
The Company issued a letter dated November 12, 2004 stating its intention to seek the termination of our defined benefit pension plan. In order for the Company to do this they will have to argue in court against the Union and the PBGC. The Company letter was in very legal terms and thus some of the statements pertaining to our pension rights under the PBGC were misleading. NOTHING can take away the credits or benefits that have been earned to this point. The PBGC does have maximum benefit payouts, which for most of us, exceed the benefits we would be receiving. When a plan terminates the PBGC picks up that plan and follows the plan guidelines. By Congressional mandate the PBGC is required to pay out benefits from the money that is in the plan at the time of terminations and then pay out from its own coffers when that fund is depleted. If you are earning pension benefits now those will continue subject to the maximum PBGC guidelines. If the plan terminates before you are eligible to retire the credits you have earned are still there and you will receive benefits when you are eligible to retire. AFA Senior Benefits Attorney, Mary Lou Savage, is working on a FAQ regarding the PBGC and our pensions. I have also discussed the recent company letter with her and she is preparing a point by point clarification for us.
F/A CERTIFICATION
Although the certification deadline has passed there are over 600 ACTIVE Flight Attendants who have not completed the F/A certification process.
IT IS THE COMPANY'S POSITION THAT IF YOU HAVE NOT COMPLETED THE REGISTRATION PROCESS BY NOVEMBER 26, YOU WILL BE
ADMINISTRATIVELY SEPARATED FROM THE COMPANY. PLEASE CONFIRM YOUR REGISTRATION BY CHECKING THE INFLIGHT SERVICES PAGE ON THE HUB. IF YOUR NAME APPEARS ON THE MISSING LIST FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS TO COMPLETE THE FORM.
If you have any questions or problems regarding the certification please call your supervisor for assistance.
RESIGNATION OF ALAN HOLMES
Alan Holmes, our EAP chair, has elected resign from US Airways and has started a new career. While I am sadden by our loss I am happy for Alan and wish him the best. Alan can not be replaced. His years of dedication to the Union, the membership and the Company will stand as a benchmark that we can only attempt to equal. Alan embodies the true spirit of what a union is about. You will never know the amount of time Alan volunteered to fellow members in his desire to help anyone in need. On behalf of Council 89 I want to thank him for that. Alan is already in training for his new position but we will not be strangers. Thank you my friend.
Fly Safe,
Mike Flores
LEC President Council 89
AFA-CWA AFL-CIO
704-527-0325 OFFICE
704-576-3174 CELL
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