Get
All the AFA News
by E-mail!
Current E-Line Index Here
| June 05 | Mar 05 |
| May 05 | Feb 05 |
| Apr 05 | Jan 05 |
|
AFA US Airways MEC E-Line - "Staying Informed" |
|
|
Get
All the AFA News |
Current E-Line Index Here
|
|
| In this E-Line |
|
|
AFA's Response over the VFLRII Eligibility July 14, 2005 Dear Members, Today, I received numerous calls from angry Flight Attendants who were awarded the "original" VFLR and who are scheduled to be released on Dec 2. 2005, and who vocalized that they can't believe that their seniority would be infringed upon that some junior flight attendant may, just may get a September release through this VFLRII instead of them being able to switch their date. I was very disturbed to hear this from our members. I felt placed against the wall as if in light of all that has transpired through the years to all of us, concessions, pensions dumped, furloughs, displacements, wage cuts, this is all that these flight attendants could think to complain about with such rage and frustration. They voiced how this do-nothing-union never protects them and their seniority rights and that they just don't want to be here anymore, and should have the choice to leave first. I am sure many of the LECPs received calls too so I will write to you and explain why the VFLR II is not the same as the original VFLR and is "outside" our VFLR 2(f) language. And why the flight attendants (approx 350) that we as a union were able to negotiate for eligibility, who were NOT eligible in the past program because they were not on the property as of Dec. 1, 2004 last year, who are now eligible for ONLY this VFLRII, not the original VFLR, OR any future oversubscribed VFLR that is to commence in 2006 or subsequent. Here's our best explanation: Because of the a/c returns scheduled between now and February (60), there will be an overage of flight attendants by 300 for August. The Company is offering a VPLOA, but will not be able to get the numbers needed to reduce the head count enough in August. The Company's first step was to approach AFA and discuss that they needed to preserve cash as quickly as possible and offer another VFLRII (which they have the right to do at their discretion to reduce head count). They had asked AFA if they could offer this to 300 flight attendants for a September 1 release and have the Cash payout for the signed" release of claim" to be paid no later than January 31, 2006. We said that to pay the cash ($10,000 would be too long and unrealistic) and that it may behoove the company to offer VFs instead if money was going to be such a problem. Our f/as who sign up for such a program can not wait for 6 months to receive this cash payment, and sit and wait and hope to qualify for unemployment in the interim. So the discussions began. We had convinced the Company since this was an additional VFLR(II) that we believe the voluntary furloughees that returned on Dec.2, 2004 as well as the furloughees who returned on June 1, along with the Involuntary furloughees from the recall list that came back in May who were not eligible for the "original" VFLR should be included in this new VFLRII. The Company said if that was the case, than they would allow this only if this VFLR would satisfy their obligation to AFA on the oversubscribed VFLR and end the program. We said NO. We emphasized that this VFLRII is in addition to the original VFLR, and the Original VFLR was oversubscribed by 323 which triggered another VFLR that had to be contractually fulfilled no later than 12 months of the last release range. So, the Company said ok, then we will offer another VFLR in 2006 for only 323 and if it is oversubscribed, it will still end the program. We said no to that too. We then gave our counter proposal, which ultimately the Company had accepted after much dialogue and compromise. Not only did we negotiate the VFLRII to include those who did not qualify for the original VFLR, but the cash payment had to be paid within 90 days, instead of 150 days. To put it blatantly, the VFLRII program is the ONLY program that the Dec. 2, 2004, June 1, VF returnees can participate in, along with the involuntary recalled flight attendants that have just returned in May if they choose to. That is 500 more eligible in the pool of members that would not have otherwise qualified without a negotiation. All flight attendants can participate in this VFLRII if you were active on the property as of July 7, 2005 except for those already granted a VFLR from the original VFLR. Bottom line, this VFLRII was a compromise to the Company to allow the VF returnees to participate, and will be the only one that they will be able to participate according to these negotiations. If the Flight Attendants from December 2 original VFLR were to switch to September, then the flight attendants from the VF programs of the past would not be permitted to take the December 2, 2004 slots. In addition, the company said it would be another administrative nightmare that they will not deal with. Therefore, with regard to the December 2 VFLR awardees, the answer is NO. AFA will not forfeit the possibility of including those active flight attendants who were not eligible for the original VFLR to not have an opportunity to apply and get the award, so that you can just simply switch your date. AFA saw an opportunity to negotiate a provision that would give some entitlement of this program to members on this property who otherwise would have had no opportunity in the future. WE seized this moment to do so. The September VPLOA (month to month unpaid leave) is still open until tomorrow for those who just want a month off and are still going out on December 2 on the original VFLR. Anyone can sign up for the VPLOA who is active. Hope this gives you a better understanding of AFA's position on this subject. Teddy Xidas MEC President, AFA -CWA ------------------- Subject: Flight Attendants Needed in ABE Job opportunities for interested flight attendants. Call the number below if you have any questions. Teddy ============== Pace Airlines is currently conducting an Open House interview for Teamjet Phoenix Base. Any interested individuals are welcome to attend our open house on Wednesday, July 20th. Call the number below if you have any questions. The open house will be held at: Sheraton Phoenix Airport Hotel 1600 S. 52nd Street Tempe, AZ 85281 480-967-6600 (the cross street is 52nd and Broadway) The times will be: 10am - 2 pm (doors close at 10am) |
|
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
Accessing The Hub: http://thehub.usairways.com Logging in the first time your user name is u0(zero) and your five digit
employee number. Your initial password is the first five digits of your social
security number. Questions about the Hub? Please contact the EDS Help Desk at
336-744-6000 for assistance. More information can also be found HERE. Council 40 PIT 724-695-3329
US AIRWAYS Benefits Information: 800-872-4780 |
|
Got Questions? Get Answers The *E-Line* is now in a new and improved format. By updating your profile at unionvoice.org you will be able to enjoy improved services in the near future! Visit your subscription management page at: http://www.unionvoice.org/ Got questions about This *E-Line* from AFA - US Airways or any other Union matter? Do NOT REPLY to the *E-Line*. PLEASE contact your local AFA officers or committee chairs directly: http://www.afausairways.org/emailaddresses2.htm
|
|