COUNCIL 41

Dear Council 41 Flight Attendants;

It has been several days since I returned from the 29th Annual AFA Board of Directors (BOD) meeting and I have several items to report to you about issues concerning our Company and our Union. 

Our Company
The new level of Inflight management has many flight attendants and this LEC President very angry. Is there anything we can do about it? Probably not. The question is: Why do we need more managers/directors to manage less flight attendants?  If this new level of management was truly needed why not wait until after we emerge from bankruptcy. Upper management will also be cutting positions from the Inflight Department. The direct link from the flight attendant to the company will be severely compromised by this action. Jon Guglielme has been “let go” (as of 10-29) from his position as Admin Supervisor in the Company’s effort to centralize administration. Administration has been centralized in the past. It did not work, that is why each base had one or more people to handle the administration job (workers comp, medical leaves etc.).  Maybe if we have questions about scheduling, medical leave or any of the many problems that occur in our lives we should call the new “Director of Product Development” 

The Company recently reported that they need an additional $400 million in concessions. The early reports are that they will seek the additional funds from the lessors and possibly more layoffs (Washington Post 10-23-02). I will keep you as up-to-date as possible concerning any additional cuts that will effect you.

However, the Company also announced a reduction in weekday flying for December and the pilot bid for January shows a reduction of 11 lines (33 positions). As of this writing there are no plans for any additional reductions in flight attendant staffing. 

AFA
At the Annual BOD meeting several important issues were discussed. International Officer elections were held for the 4-year term beginning January 1, 2003; reelected were International President Pat Friend, Vice President George Donahue, Secretary Treasurer Paul Mac Kinnon. I supported Pat Friend however I also supported other candidates in each category. If you have questions about the election please let me know. 

During the MEC Meeting held prior to the BOD several issues were discussed and worked on. 
The Company has approached AFA to add the A330 aircraft to the CRAF (Civil Reserve Air Fleet) Sideletter (L27 in the contract). Your MEC is in the process of negotiating some return for the ability to add the aircraft to the letter. The MEC is working with the Company to enhance the CATCREW screens so that you can better determine your time and to monitor the over-flying problems. I will let you know as soon as possible when something new transpires.

We are faced with the worst time in the airline industry, I believe we can manage to the best of our ability if we work together. If you have a problem or a question please call one of the officers or committee members. If you are having a problem with another flight attendant PLEASE come to us first. If the Company violates your contract CALL! If there is something I can do differently, let me know. We can work through this with a little communication.

In Solidarity,

BOD Agenda Items
Below is a list of agenda items discussed (including how your vote was cast) during the Annual BOD meeting in San Francisco. If you wish to discuss these or any of the 51 agenda items submitted please contact Bob.

• Dues Increase; $1-$3 increase depending on your hourly wage. Voted down, I voted against. 
• Increased mileage allowance  (for conducting AFA business) from 27.5 to 34.5 per mile passed, I voted against.
• AFA Organizing Fund $2.50 per month reduced to .75 per month, passed, I voted for. The amount was subsequently reduced to .23 to balance the budget due to the fact AFA will hire an additional attorney and negotiator because there will be 18 airlines in negotiations next year.
• Direct Membership Election of MEC and International Officers voted down, I voted against 
• Finance Committee Budget Responsibilities I signed on to this agenda item to give more “teeth” to the finance committee to report all the expenses of the International Officers to the Executive Board of the Union. Believe it or not the Board of Directors did not pass this, I voted for it.
• Flight Attendant Certification This will be a principle focus for the Union for the next several years. We will need your help on Capitol Hill!
• Electronic Balloting  (for all voting) Approved and added to the Constitution and Bylaws.
• Meal Allowance and Meal Expense (for conducting AFA business) Increased from $6 for breakfast, $9 for lunch and $18 for dinner to $7.25, $10, and $21. The Board passed this, I voted against it. The Officers and Committee members of Council 41 rarely use this provision because we do not have a large budget. We will continue to use the “old” amounts when claiming expenses.

TSA Hotline
A hotline has been established by the Transportation Security Agency to report time critical incidents that need immediate action, non-critical incidents, suggestions or comments on transportation security or screening. That number is 800-255-1111. Give the FAA a call and let them know what you think of security.

Pegasus Project  866-785-0449
The Pegasus project is back up and running! The Pegasus Project is a non-profit organization which provides short-term emergency grants for flight attendants (AFA) who are experiencing financial hardship due to a critical or life-threatening illness or injury. Pegasus is funded through donations, DUES MONEY IS NOT USED TO FUND PEGASUS. Your MEC has decided to approach the Company to ask if contributions can be made through payroll deduction. Imagine if every flight attendant (at US Airways) contributed $1 per month that would equal $7,500 per month or $90,000 per year! 

Council 41 needs a volunteer who will dedicate time and energy to this project. PLEASE CONTACT A LOCAL OFFICER TO SIGN UP.

Mid Atlantic Airways
The MEC elected a Negotiating Committee to develop the contract for Mid Atlantic Airways flight attendants. Elected were Alin Boswell, DCA; John Humphrey, PHL; and Audrey Linder. PIT. Flight attendant positions will be offered to all involuntarily furloughed flight attendants. As of this newsletter there is no definitive date set for the start-up of Mid Atlantic. It has been rumored that the first flight will take place in the spring. That’s airline talk for fall. 

FAREWELL!
Lori Caplan, Inflight Supervisor decided to take the voluntary separation from the Company. On behalf of the Officers and Committee members of Council 41 we wold like to thank Lori for her dedication to the DCA Flight Attendants and wish her the best of luck on her future endeavors. You will be missed!

Bankruptcy Information - Proof of Claim 
Recently, US Airways mailed to its employees a Proof of Claim, which is the form that creditors must use if they believe they have a claim against the company. Included with the Proof of Claim is a Notice of Bar Date for Filing Proof of Claim. It is critical that every flight attendant carefully review the Notice. It describes the procedure and sets a deadline of November 4, 2002 for filing a Proof of Claim. Even more importantly, the Notice lists the types of claims for which a creditor does not have to submit a Proof of Claim. 

Based upon these exceptions, it is anticipated that very few employees will have to file a Proof of Claim. First, employees do not have to file a Proof of Claim if the claim arises from or is based upon the AFA-US Airways Collective Bargaining Agreement (See paragraph (g) of the Notice). 

Second, no creditor has to file a Proof of Claim that is based upon his or her ownership interest in or possession of stock or any other equity security. This paragraph does state that a Proof of Claim needs to be filed if there is a claim is based upon the sale or purchase of stock or other US Airways equity securities or claims for damages or rescission based upon the purchase or sale of such securities (See Paragraph H of Notice). This exception would apply to persons who have claims against US Airways relating to purchase or sale of securities. 

In the rare instance where a flight attendant has a claim against US Airways for personal injury, damage or any wrongful act that is not based upon the Collective Bargaining Agreement, he or she would need to file a Proof of Claim by November 4, 2002. An example where a flight attendant would need to file a Proof of Claim is if he or she has a disputed claim for Worker's Compensation. 

Finally, it is important to understand that in a bankruptcy, the debtor routinely provides a Proof of Claim to its employees. Here, US Airways sent Proofs of Claim to not only its employees but any individual or entity who it believes may possibly have a claim against it. Therefore, merely being sent a Proof of Claim and Notice should not be construed as a determination by US Airways that the recipient needs to file a Proof of Claim. 
 

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Bob Kenia, LEC President 703-690-6859 Office 703-690-9350 Fax	Alin Boswell, LEC VP 703-212-8090 office 703-212-8089 fax	Katie Whitney, LEC Secretary 703-719-6940 office 703-719-6935 fax
bkenia@afausairways.org	alin@afausairways.org	kwhitney@afausairways.org

Pegasus Assists Members With:
Cancer, Lupus, Severe Back Injury & Disc Degeneration, Addiction to Pain Medication, Clinical Depression, Injury from Turbulence, Degenerative Nerve Disease, Hepatitis, AID’s, HIV, Memory Loss due to Inhaling Toxic Fumes on an Aircraft & Substance Abuse.

Pegasus Toll Free Number  
1-866-785-0449

Members of AFA may make donations to The Pegasus Project through the United Way Campaign Fund Drives, by writing in The Pegasus Project & the Project’s phone number. Forms are available through your AFA Local Executive Council or through the Pegasus Link on our AFA International Website at: www.afanet.org 

Donations to The Pegasus Project are tax deductible!