• Dear Co-worker 
• Voting Instructions

July 31, 2002 

Dear Co-worker, 

This letter is to remind you to vote on the Tentative Agreement (TA) that's been negotiated with US Airways. Please see the voting instructions, pick up your phone or go to your computer and vote after reading this letter. 

As flight attendants, and as those elected to represent you as part of AFA, we want you to know why we are all voting 'FOR' this tentative agreement. 

Protection in bankruptcy 
Our carrier is in trouble; bankruptcy isn't a threat, it's a reality. The tentative contains an "1113 Letter" that provides us with US Airways' written guarantee that if the carrier goes into bankruptcy and we ratify this agreement, management will not ask for more drastic cuts than those provided for in the TA. If the agreement fails, management has stated that, in bankruptcy, it will seek significantly more in cuts from a bankruptcy court judge. We don't trust our futures to a bankruptcy judge who will not likely have our best interests at heart. 

Negotiated rates for health benefits
Every US Airways employee is going to be part of a new, national Preferred Provider Organization, regardless of this TA. Management's first proposal to AFA in negotiations called for not only significantly higher out-of-pocket costs from flight attendants as part of the new plan, but management also refused to set the rates for future years so it could pass even higher costs to flight attendants in the future. The TA contains negotiated rates that are significantly lower than those management initially proposed, and it sets the monthly rates through the term of the agreement. For more information on the specifics of the new plan, visit www.afausairways.org and click on the TA link. 

The potential to limit furloughs and provide job opportunities to furloughees
Elimination of the 'No Furlough' clause in our contract is likely to be one of the first things management will seek in bankruptcy if this agreement isn't ratified, because management has made it clear that the airline is going to get smaller before it gets bigger. 

If this agreement fails to ratify, management isn't likely to offer any of the protections for flight attendants that have been negotiated in this TA. The protections in the TA are that before any involuntary furlough is announced, management must first offer a Voluntary Separation Incentive Package, then it must offer flight attendants a voluntary furlough similar to the one offered following 9/11. 

If an involuntary furlough is still necessary, all involuntarily furloughed flight attendants will get the chance to fill job openings at the new MidAtlantic Airways, carrying their seniority and longevity (for pay purposes) with them (you would continue to hold your recall rights on the mainline). Also, management has committed that if the agreement ratifies, it will work with AFA to develop an 'Early Out' retirement package that will give the most senior flight attendants an incentive to retire, opening slots for low seniority flight attendants to return or keep their jobs. 

Profit-sharing and equity returns
If we must invest in this airline by providing concessions, we deserve to earn a return on that investment once the airline turns around. The TA provides for us to be rewarded in two ways. The profit-sharing plan outlined in the TA would be payable each year, if the airline is profitable. Flight attendants will divide up 9% of the profits, from a pool derived of 15% of the airline's pre-tax profits. 

This plan is similar to the very successful plan that rewards the employees at Southwest Airlines. The equity returns will provide us with cash in our pockets if US Airways stock performs above expected levels through the contract's term. We will also get a chance to reap these returns multiple times over the term of the agreement.

In reaching this TA, the Negotiating Committee and Master Executive Council were able to make decisions based upon the advice of experts, professional negotiators and the staff and Officers at AFA International who worked with us every step of the way. So, while US Airways flight attendants made the ultimate decisions to reach this TA, they did so based upon the advice of people who are experts in airline financial analysis, bankruptcy, health benefits, pensions, and securities lawyers. 

While nothing in life is guaranteed, this deal is the best vehicle we could possibly have to protect our jobs and our futures in this very tough situation. We also commit to you that we will be diligent in monitoring this new management team in an attempt to ensure that it doesn't return to the failed practices of past management.

Stand with us. Don't let those who may be influenced by rumors take away your ability to control your future. Do your part to ratify the TA. Make your voice count. Vote. We will get through this crisis. We will continue to fight to secure our future and the future of this airline. 

In Solidarity, 

Karen Lascoli, MEC President 
Joanne Trihey, MEC Vice President 
Leslie Miller, MEC Secretary/Treasurer 
Buddy Brannon, BOS LEC #69 President 
Bob Kenia, DCA LEC #41 President 
Steve Hearn, CLT LEC #89 President 
Alfred Fiore, LGA LEC #82 President 
Christopher Atwood, BOS LEC #69 Vice President
 

Voting Instructions 

This ratification vote is being conducted by electronic ballot. You may vote either by telephone or the internet. In order for your vote to count, you must carefully follow these instructions: 

To use the system, you must enter an ID number and a PIN. The ID number is your US Airways employee ID number. If your US Airways employee ID number is NOT a 5-digit number, you must add the appropriate number of 0's in front of the number to equal a 5-digit number.

Example: 
ID Number: 
12  = 00012 
123  = 00123 
1234 =  01234 
12345 =  12345 

Your PIN is the last four digits of your Social Security Number. Once you have logged in, you will be prompted to change your PIN. Be sure to REMEMBER YOUR NEW PIN as you will need it if you wish to access the ballot again. 

To vote via the INTERNET, log onto:  https://www.ballotpoint.com/afa. 

Note: you must include the 's' in 'https' otherwise you will not be able to log onto the site. The 's' indicates it is a secured site. 

Once at the site, enter your ID number and PIN, click, 'Login.' 

Next change your PIN as instructed. From the menu on the left side of the screen, select, 'View Ballots.'

Then, simply follow the instructions on the page and select the appropriate ballot from the menu (US Airways Ratification Ballot) and click, 'Request Ballot.' 

Mark your vote by clicking on the bullet adjacent to your selection; when completed, click, 'Cast Ballot.'

You will be given a confirmation number; be sure to write this down, then click, 'Logout.' Your vote has been cast. 

To vote via TELEPHONE, access the system by dialing 1-877-AFA-VOTE (1-877-232-8683). 

First, you will be prompted for your ID number and PIN. Use the touch tone keypad on your telephone to enter your responses. The system will guide you through the process of changing your PIN, selecting the ballot, and casting the ballot. Once completed, the system will give you a confirmation number, be sure to write this down. 

Once you have voted, you may change your vote if you choose through either method. You must remember your new PIN to access the system. Only the last ballot cast will be counted. If you experience any problems with the voting system, call AFA Membership Services at 800-424-2401 x 860 during normal business hours.

The polls for voting opened at 12:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time on July 28, 2002. The polls will CLOSE at 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on August 9, 2002. 

The ballots will be tallied after the close of polling on Friday, August 9.
 
 

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