Contents:

• Delta Representation Election
• Pilot Bid 02-01A
• Flight Attendant Displacements for  CLT, DCA, and PIT
• Request for Extension of Voluntary Furlough
• Report Inappropriate Conduct of Security Screeners
• AFA Scholarship Fund
• From your MEC Grievance Department: Update on Grievance #74-01
• From your MEC Crew Accommodations Committee: Use the On-line AFA Hotel Report Form - OF310 Form

In response to the illegal campaign of intimidation, fear and harassment Delta Airlines management directed towards its flight attendants during the representation election, AFA has filed charges of illegal interference with the National Mediation Board (NMB). 

After an investigation, the NMB may order a new election bypassing the normal one-year waiting period to provide the Delta flight attendants with a free and fair election. The NMB has already found that the evidence against Delta presents a "prima facie" case of interference by Delta management.

AFA will argue forcefully that the NMB should order a special circumstances election in order to counteract management's interference and ensure that the flight attendants' right to freely choose union representation is protected.

While we await the final decision of the NMB, which is expected within
60 days, we will begin to shut down the Organizing Department, retaining only those staff necessary to assist the NMB investigation.

Realistically, the only chance for Delta flight attendants to have a fair election, and for AFA to be certified as the bargaining representative is through a decision to "level the playing field" with a "Laker" type ballot. In this case AFA would need to get the majority of ballots cast in order to win just like the rules for any other democratic election run in America.

Should the NMB simply call for a re-run of the election under the current procedures, then it is very unlikely that a new election will have a different result from this first election.  In that case, further investment of AFA members' dues money would not be justified and AFA would not recommend committing a significant level of resources to a new election.

The Delta flight attendants who are part of this campaign deserve a voice in their workplace. If they are granted a level playing field by the NMB, the flight attendant members of the Association of Flight Attendants should continue to fully support their efforts to join the family of unionized flight attendants in this country.  In a fair election, we will win.

(from Pat Friend’s letter dated February 1, 2002)

The MEC has been informed that effective April 1, 2002 there may be flight attendant displacements.  This is due to the reduction in staffing in CLT, DCA, and PIT bases.

 CLT - displaced 90
 DCA - displaced 43
 PIT - displaced 157

If you are an affected flight attendant, please refer to your Flight Attendant Agreement for your contractual rights especially:

Section 5 - Moving Expenses
Section 18 - Filling of Vacancies
Section 19 - Reduction in Personnel.

For your convenience, the Contract is available on-line at: http://afausairways.org/contract/index1.html

We urge you to read these sections and exercise your rights. If you have questions, please contact your Local Council.
 

Flight attendants on a six (6) month Voluntary Furlough which commenced December 2, 2001 and interested in extending your Voluntary Furlough must apply for an extension by MARCH 3, 2002.

The "REQUEST TO EXTEND VOLUNTARY FURLOUGH" form was mailed to your
home, is available from your Inflight Supervisor, and is on the AFA-US Airways website.

Mail form to:

US Airways Inflight Administration
2345 Crystal Drive, DCAH695
Arlington VA 22227
or fax to 703-872-6476.

The REQUEST form must be received by Inflight Administration no later than 90 days prior to the expiration date of your Voluntary Furlough.  Your request is subject to approval by the Company.  Voluntary Furlough Extensions will not be granted past December 2, 2004.

AFA is in discussion with the company regarding the problem of overstaffing especially as it relates to returning voluntary furloughees and possible displacements already announced. Any information arising from these discussions will be reported to you promptly.
 

We continue to hear stories about flight attendants reporting that they are the targets of abusive behavior, including illicit touching by security screeners.

If you are targeted for a hand pat-down and are uncomfortable being patted-down by a screener of another sex, ask for a "same sex pat-down."  If the screener refuses, ask to see the security supervisor on duty or ask to see airport police.

Here's what you should do if a security screener targets you for abusive behavior:

• Ask to see the security supervisor on duty.  If the supervisor is unavailable, ask the screener to call airport police.  Let them know that you are not objecting to the increased security and screening, but feel that you are being abused by the screener.
• File a report of the incident with the supervisor or airport police. Be sure to also report the incident to your AFA Local Council.  In your report, include your name, airline, domicile, location of the incident, time, date, and if possible, the name of the security company and the name of the screener.  You can also report an incident on-line at www.afanet.org.
• Report abuse to the FAA and AFA by going to the Online Reporting Form: http://www.afanet.org/inappropriate_screening.htm

The only way action can be taken to correct the abuse, is to report the incident.  To stop abuse of crew members by security screening personnel and to pursue any potential legal action that's appropriate, we must have factual reports of incidents.
 

Applications are now available for the 2002 AFA Scholarship Fund.  To be considered for the award, completed applications must be received by April 10, 2002 at:

AFA Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 212
Warrenton, VA, 20188

Write to the above address for an application or Download from HERE,  where you can also see the scholarship guidelines and application requirements.

The scholarship, established in 1994 by former AFA President Dee Maki, helps AFA members with the financial burdens of educating their dependents while recognizing accomplishments in education and community service.

Please consider making a contribution to the AFA Scholarship Fund. The fund is a fully accredited charitable foundation; every dollar donated goes directly to a scholarship award.  Contributions can be sent to the address listed above.
 

Update on Grievance #74-01: "The Termination of Probationary Flight Attendants and the Violation of the No Furlough Language"

Issue: Whether or not the company violated the applicable sections of the contract by terminating the probationary flight attendants and furloughing flight attendants involuntarily.  Sadly, management believes they had the right to terminate/ involuntary furlough our members based on the events of September 11th and subsequent economic impact to US Airways.  AFA maintains that this is a blatant violation of our contract.

"Our contract must be protected at all times for every member no matter where they exist on the seniority roster," says Aida Soler-Bryant, AFA MEC Grievance Chairperson.  She also states that "the company’s move to blatantly violate our contract was a knee-jerk reaction that affected hundreds of lives of our members and AFA will not stand for it."

AFA is preparing for the upcoming arbitration scheduled for February 26 and 27 in Washington, DC. The case was petitioned to Expedited Arbitration as provided for under the Working Agreement Section 1.G. 

ALPA is currently arbitrating their case on behalf of the furloughed pilots. Some aspects of their case are similar to AFA’s grievance.  ALPA commenced its arbitration proceedings before AFA, and it is likely that we may have a decision before the ALPA case.
 

Crew member complaints of sub-standard and unacceptable hotel properties used for RON's are on the rise. However, when approached with requests for action to improve overnight hotels for crews, the Company invariably responds that there are not enough complaints on file to move them to do anything.

Your MEC Crew Accommodations Committee encourages you to report problem properties which you encounter on your overnights.  The only way to improve this important area of our working conditions is to document hotel complaints.

A new on-lne Hotel Report Form more resembles the OF-310 found in the Crew Rooms.  Please fill out this form with as much detail as you can and submit it electronically. http://www.afausairways.org/FAForm.html