COUNCIL 41

Dear Council 41 Member,

US Airways flight attendants are like the energizer bunny, we keep going and going and GIVING and GIVING. Management continues to take. 

To start, the sick policy that was implemented was not what you voted on or what we as the MEC left the meetings in December understanding. In my opinion, once management had time to sit down and think about the policy that was discussed and agreed to in December management looked for more ways to bleed the flight attendants. To put this into some perspective the Company did the same thing to the pilots.

The bottom line is this: the policy that was implemented was not what AFA agreed to. This will be taken to an arbitrator in the very near future. If you have specific questions regarding the new policy you will need to contact your supervisor. The Local Officers will not be able to answer your questions because this is a Company imposed policy.

The second problem I had with the "new" sick policy is the fact that it was implemented mid month. In March the Company signed an agreement that both parties would negotiate the sick and reserve policy from March 31 through April 15. Even if nothing came out of those negotiations it was immoral and in my belief criminal to start their new policy mid month. I contacted Dave Siegel to ask for some consideration for the flight attendants. I also asked him if he would appreciate losing 32% of his income one-month. His response was simple; it didn't matter to him.

Let the Passengers Complain
As I fly my trips and answer my union phone I continually see the results of the Company's decision to eliminate jobs, from understaffed flights to benefit problems to passengers waiting to be wheeled off the aircraft. 

Management does not listen to the employees; they need to hear it from the passengers. When passengers complain when they are delayed because bags were not loaded on the aircraft or if they were not served due to understaffing point out the comment card in the back of the "award winning" Attaché magazine. Let them know that US Airways furloughed too many people.

I know moral is at an all-time low and yet we continue to provide the best service in the industry. Keep up the good work however do not "kill" yourself. We can only do so much in the short time we have with the passengers. 

In Solidarity,

Bob Kenia

EQUITY DISTRIBUTION
During the summer 2002 restructuring negotiations AFA was given a profit sharing plan in return for our concessions. When US Airways filed for bankruptcy in August 2002 the Company offered AFA a choice between the profit sharing plan outlined in the summer agreement or an equity share in the Company once they emerged from bankruptcy.

The MEC elected to hire Eclat Consulting to evaluate both plans and make a recommendation to the MEC as to which plan would be more beneficial. Eclat's recommendation was to opt for the equity plan. While this looks like an obvious decision I wanted them to make a detailed analysis of both plans for you and me. This review is too long to print however it can be found HERE. A letter will be sent to all flight attendants homes explaining the distribution of the stock.

THROW AWAY THE USED HEADSETS, THEY ARE DISPOSABLE

SICK POLICY
Please keep in mind that you must fulfill your obligation/option when you call in sick just as it has been in the past, this did not change. To do this you must fly and call in sick for trips that equal your obligation/option, your claim will most likely be less than your obligation/option. For example: Non-option flight attendant with an 82 hour block, flies 72 hours and calls in sick for a 2 day trip (10 hours). This will fulfill their obligation and this sick call will not be considered a dependability infraction. If that same flight attendant with 72 hours only called in sick for a 1-day (5 hours) and did not fly or call in sick for another trip there would be a low block letter issued. I know this is confusing but look at it this way. If this same flight attendant did not call in sick all month under the first scenario they would not have a low block and of course in the second example they would.

VOLUNTARY/INVOLUNTARY FURLOUGH
The MEC has filed several grievances as it relates to both the Voluntary and Involuntary furloughs. As the time approached for flight attendants to extend their leave beyond June of 2003 the Company advised AFA that there would need to be more involuntary furloughs therefore they would off a new VF number 5. Once the VF5 was awarded the Company announced a reduction in staffing that would require additional furloughs in May. The Company did not offer an additional leave to include those that would be furloughed in May. AFA fought to get an additional VF hence the VF6 was offered. AFA dos not believe that the VF6 was in accordance with the previous leaves and a grievance has been filed. 

DISPLACEMENTS-Housing Needed
Many flight attendants have been displaced to Washington effective June 1. If you are looking for a roommate/s or know of any place to live please post it on the bulletin boards or contact a local officer with the information. We will do our best to get this information out to those who need it. If you know of any good beeper plans please post the information.

MEDICAL BENEFITS
There have been reported problems about the medical coverage under BC/BS PPO. If you have any problems about procedures that used to be covered under the old plan and are not covered under the new plan please let one of the officers know. The coverage we currently have is supposed to be the same as the coverage we had previously just at a much higher cost to you. 

The prescription coverage is still the same in regard to what is covered and what is not covered. The only thing that dramatically changed was the price of your prescription. If you want to know if your prescription is covered check out this website. http://usairways.AdvanceRx.com 


CLEANING STATIONS
There are still problems throughout the system. I have written to the Vice President of Inflight several times regarding specific violations. The list of cleaning stations is in your May and June trip sheets, please carry this list with you. If an agent (ramp or customer service) advises you that "we do not have cleaners" this does not mean that flight attendants have to clean. It is their responsibility. We only have to "tidy" the aircraft at the stations on our list. 

As of January 2003 the current stations include: 
ABE, ALB, BNA, BUF, CHS, CLE, CMH, DFW, DTW, IAD, IAH, ILM, MDT, MHT, MKE, MSP, MSY, MYR, PNS, PWM, ROC, RSW, SAV, SRQ, SYR.
Please call us or write up any problems.

RECURRENT TRAINING (RET)
Since the last newsletter the times for recurrent training have changed. When I first spoke to the training department in March recurrent training was set up so the DCA flight attendants can take the early flight to PIT and the 6 (something) pm flight home. Due to a change in the flight schedule, RET times had to be changed. Please read your RET information very carefully. The training department said they would change training throughout the year as the flight schedule changes to better accommodate the DCA flight attendants. 

EAP
Please be advised that Stephanie Spencer has taken a leave from the EAP Committee. On behalf of the other officers I would like to thank her for her time and energy helping the DCA flight attendants. If you need assistance please contact Annette Hill at 703-212-0580 or Kathy Vieweg at 540-687-3737.

PINK SLIPS
Please remember to save your pink liquor slips and sign the log at each liquor safe when you deposit your money.

Annual AFA Government Affairs Conference
By Alin Boswell, LEC Vice President

On April 29th and 30th, flight attendants gathered in Washington, DC representing AFA on Capitol Hill. There are several important issues before Congress right now that could have long-term effects on our flight attendant careers.

The most important is legislation in both the House and Senate for flight attendant certification. Representative's Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Sue Kelly (R-NY) sponsored House Resolution #1889. H.R. 1889 calls for certification for all flight attendants for the training they received as new-hires and our annual recurrent training. Many other Representatives have co-sponsored the bill prior to its introduction including Jim Moran (D-VA). It is important each flight attendant take the time to call, fax or email their elected representative to encourage them to co-sponsor or support flight attendant certification. This is one of the most important pieces of legislation the Association of Flight Attendants has undertaken. Please call today!

In the Senate it has been a more difficult and sometimes dramatic fight. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) introduced an amendment to the FAA Reauthorization Bill for Flight Attendant Certification in the Senate Transportation and Commerce Committee. It narrowly passed by one vote at 12-10. Most of the major airlines lobbied hard against the amendment including US Airways. To the extreme disappointment of the DCA Council, Senator George Allen (R-VA) voted against flight attendant certification. It is important for each and every flight attendant in Virginia to call or email Senator Allen and voice their displeasure with his vote against labor. You can call his office at 202.224.4024 or email Brent Perry in Senator Allen's office at Brent_Perry@Allen.Senate.gov. Now the bad news, Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT) has pledged to strip the amendment from the final version of the Bill. The Bill will come up for a final vote on the Senate floor. Here is why it is important to call both Senator Allen and Senator Warner. When it comes up for a final vote we want both Senator's to know how Virginia voters stand on this important legislation. They will only know if you take the time to call, fax or email. 

Another issue potentially before Congress could be changes to the Railway Labor Act. While no legislation has been proposed to date, don't be surprised to hear of something in the near future. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has been championing the cause to require all parties (union and airline) to submit to binding arbitration with their last best offer if at an impasse. What does this mean to you? It would effectively remove your right to vote on any final agreement with no option to strike. AFA will keep you informed about any possible legislation concerning this issue.

How can you help? A fast and simple way is to sign up for the E-Activist. It is an easy and seamless way to be involved. To sign up email David Martin (AFA Government Affairs Department) at dmartin@afanet.org. You will be surprised at how easy it is to have your voice heard.

We would like to thank Gwen Brown for taking time out of her busy schedule to attend the conference. She proves our point that flight attendants make great lobbyist, what a pro! If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Alin Boswell at 703.212.8090

This newsletter was sent via e-mail and placed in all flight attendant mailboxes.
Sign up HERE or www.afausairways.org and Click on the Washington page.

Bob Kenia, LEC President 
703-690-6859 office 
703-690-9350 Fax 
bkenia@afasuairways.org

Alin Boswell, LEC VP
703-212-8090 office
703-212-8089 fax
alin@afausairways.org

Katie Whitney, LEC Secretary
703-719-6940 office
703-719-6935 fax
kwhitney@afausiarways.org