Contents:

• Flight Attendants Issue Security Alert for Dayton Int'l Airport, Will Leaflet in Pittsburgh on Feb. 15
• United Mechanics Reject Contract Proposal, Authorize Strike
• AFA Scholarship Fund
• Massachusetts Grant Money Available for Training/Education for Unemployed Flight Attendants

Flight Attendants Issue Security Alert for Dayton Int'l Airport, Will Leaflet in Pittsburgh on Feb. 15
February 13, 2002  
Contact: Debra Dahl, 937/657-7777
Jeff Zack, 202/712-9740

US Airways Express Carrier PSA Airlines' Flight Attendants Say Airline is Skimping on Security Searches

WASHINGTON, DC *Flight attendants at US Airways Express carrier PSA Airlines are issuing a security alert for Dayton International Airport.  The flight attendants will be leafleting at Dayton Airport at the Northwest end of Terminal Building, outside Baggage Claim on Wed., Feb 13, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

PSA is one of seven airlines requiring flight attendants to conduct new security searches in addition to current pre-flight safety checks, without allotting the training or additional time needed to conduct the new searches thoroughly and effectively. Flight attendants are required by law to conduct pre-flight safety checks of emergency equipment before each flight. Carriers allot the minimum amount of time needed to conduct the emergency equipment checks prior to boarding.  These checks were in place prior to Sept. 11. 

The FAA mandated searches of aircraft for suspicious and dangerous materials after Sept. 11.  Flight attendants have received no additional training to conduct the new security searches.  And because of the time crunch brought on by the added duties, ground supervisors are pressuring flight attendants ' sometimes wielding the threat of discipline'  to cut the searches short so passengers can be boarded and an "on-time" departure achieved.

PSA flight attendants also plan to leaflet in Pittsburgh on Feb. 15 and in Cincinnati on Feb. 24.

More than 50,000 flight attendants at 26 airlines join together to form AFA, the world's largest flight attendant union. Visit us @ www.afanet.org.

Mechanics at United Airlines voted overwhelmingly last night to reject a contract settlement proposed by a White House-appointed panel, raising the possibility of new labor turmoil at the carrier.

The airline and the union now have one week to reach a new settlement before the mechanics are legally permitted to walk out, at 12:01 a.m. next Wednesday.  Both the union and the company said yesterday that they would resume negotiations quickly in the hopes of averting a strike, which would ground the airline.

Read the Article... http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/13/business/13AIR.html?todaysheadlines

United's mechanics and other employees represented by IAM District 141M voted on President Bush's Emergency Board recommendation for a contract settlement.  90% of eligible members voted, and of those casting ballots, 68% voted to reject the proposal.  86% of those voting also voted to strike if the proposal failed.  The cooling off period ends 12:01a.m.central time, on Wednesday February 20th, leaving IAM district 141M free to strike.

Several scenarios could play out over the next 7 days.  Negotiations between United and the IAM-141M are scheduled to resume on Friday, February 15th in Chicago, and could result in a possible agreement. The President could also step in and ask for Congressional intervention to impose a contract.

From "Update AFA" and the Association of Flight Attendants at United

AFA Scholarship Fund
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. Information is also available at www.afanet.org.

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.

Massachusetts Grant Money Available for Training/Education of Unemployed Flight Attendants

$2.4 million has been made available to provide intensive and targeted retraining, support and re-employment services to dislocated workers in the Airline and Related Industries in Massachusetts.

If you are a flight attendant collecting Unemployment Insurance Benefits from Massachusetts and you would like to take advantage of funds specifically set aside for Training/Education of dislocated airline workers, call or visit a One-Stop Career Center near you.  Be sure to mention that you are an airline employee.

For a list of Massachusetts One-Stop Career Centers go to    
http://www.detma.org/jobseeker/centers/careercenters.htm

Under certain circumstances, you may be eligible for additional weeks of UI benefits in order to complete your training   if the approved program extends beyond the duration of the your regular UI benefits. To be eligible for an extension of benefits, you must file a completed application by the 15th paid week of your claim.

You must file a completed application with Department of Employment and Training (DET) for approval of your program prior to starting the training. Allow at least three weeks in order to ensure that there is enough time to process your application. Other requirements apply.

Call 1-877-626-6800 or 617-626-6800 for more information.