Contents:

• GRIEVANCE SETTLEMENT: Recall Rights for Terminated Probationary Flight Attendants
• Voluntary Furlough Benefits and ADT Cobra
• From the AFA Scheduling Committee: Company Discontinues Trip Bundling
• Deadline for Extension of Voluntary Furlough Approaches
• Report Inappropriate Conduct of Security Screeners
• AFA Scholarship Fund
• DCA Council 41 Meeting

GRIEVANCE SETTLEMENT: Recall Rights for Terminated Probationary Flight Attendants

On Friday February 22, 2002 the Union and the Company were successful in reaching a settlement in AFA Case # 30-99-02-74-01 Probationary Terminations/No Furlough. The probationary terminated flight attendants will receive recall rights under the settlement and the "No Furlough" arbitration has been postponed pending the outcome of the ALPA (Airline Pilots Association) "No Furlough" arbitration. Since AFA derived its "No Furlough" language from the pilot contract, waiting for either an arbitration decision in the ALPA case or a settlement between ALPA and the Company is a very good strategy for AFA.

AFA and the Company are in the process of drafting the final settlement. Once the settlement is signed AFA will contact the terminated probationary flight attendants.

A comprehensive summary of the settlement will be posted on the AFA E-Line and Web Page in the near future.

Karen Lascoli,
MEC President

Apparently there has been confusion regarding the payment of health benefits for Voluntarily Furloughed Flight Attendants. 

Voluntary Furloughees received a letter and a billing coupon from ADT Cobra Services, US Airways' current billing administrator, informing them of their obligation to pay normal employee premiums.

Some flight attendants mistakenly assumed they were being billed for COBRA insurance. According to Valerie Edwards, US Airways Manager - Benefits, this is a bill NOT for Cobra - only for the normal employee-paid premiums for health, dental and life insurance. If a flight attendant receives a bill from UHC, that is a different situation; UHC is the billing agent for COBRA insurance.

Hopefully this clears up any confusion. If you have any questions, please contact your local LEC Officers.

From the AFA Scheduling Committee:
Company Discontinues Trip Bundling

PIT, CLT, and PHL will no longer be bundling the trip and line sheets due to flight attendant feedback. The primary lines by equipment  will no longer be for "pilot only". The "add" trip and lines will be marked "F/A Only".

Deadline for Extension of Voluntary Furlough Approaches

Flight attendants on a six (6) month Voluntary Furlough which commenced December 2, 2001 who are 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. Any information arising from these discussions will be reported to you promptly.

Report Inappropriate Conduct of Security Screeners

We continue to hear stories of flight attendants as 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." 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.

Document abuse to the FAA and AFA by going to the Online Reporting Form:
http://www.afanet.org/inappropriate_screening.htm

While increased security measures are necessary, inappropriate treatment of crew members is unacceptable.  And depending on the circumstances of the incident, it may be illegal.

Stop abuse by security screening personnel - report the incident.

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 the website: http://www.afausairways.org/Scholarship/fund.html. 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.

DCA Council 41 Meeting

Date:   Thursday, March 7, 2002
Time:   10:30am - 1:00pm
Where:  Hampton Inn
        5821 Richmond HWY
        Alexandria, VA
        703-329-1400

Agenda: Security Issues
        DEC DCA-BWI
        New Business