• NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE
• CREWMEMBER TRAVEL REMINDER
• Accessing The Hub

• AFA Local Numbers

NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) met in session with the Company May 13-15 in PHX. The JNC completed an internal caucus session in CLT on Friday May 30.

The JNC will meet in session with the Company in PHX June 10-12. The past three sessions have focused on following sections:

• International
• Expenses
• Common Domiciles

International - The Union proposal includes the return of the International Premium (currently $3.00) for all international flying. This would include all Non Transoceanic International Flying (NTI). The Company has indicated they will deal with the premium issue when we negotiate Compensation (Section 3). The Company has proposed any future South American flying would be classified as NTI flying. An interesting Company concept in light of the fact one would fly over water more on a route from PHL to Bogotá, Columbia than one would from PHL to Beijing.

The Company has also proposed to make Mexico the fifty first state as their initial proposal excluded any Mexico flying from NTI. After protest, the Company has given Mexico back its sovereignty and Mexico flying will remain part of NTI flying.

The Company refuses at this time to agree to the Union position that the Duty Free commission paid at the time of contract ratification not be reduced for the duration of the contract. That makes the JNC suspicious.

One of the biggest problems we currently face is we do not have crew rest seats on NTI trips. The Union has proposed two additional parameters to our current crew rest seat language. First, anytime a pilot is provided a crew rest seat, Flight Attendants would also be provided a crew rest seat. Second, anytime a pilot is provided a crew bunk area, Flight Attendants would also be provided sufficient crew bunk areas.

The Company initially proposed pilot only foreign domiciles. Being domiciled with the pilots is a long standing provision and protection in the East contract. The Company finally agreed to our position and can establish a pilot only foreign domicile if the domicile is for air cargo flying only and does not carry revenue passengers.

An additional concern the committee is addressing are the extended multi-day delays in Europe our members have been subjected to. The JNC proposed language that would provide an additional 5+15 pay (in addition to all other trip rigs) when an international flight is delayed more than ten (10) hours and an additional 5+15 pay for every twenty- four (24) delay after the initial ten (10) hour delay. The Company has indicated they would respond to that proposal in Scheduling (Section 9).

As the Company has stated they are moving forward with the expansion of International flying the JNC believes the International Section is very important in terms of pay and working conditions.

In one of the rare instances, the Company actually made the first proposal in the International Section. The Company initially proposed a separate International Transoceanic Division. The Company proposal was a very watered down version of the previous ITD program. When the JNC offered a counter proposal that we believed met the Company half way, the Company immediately pulled an ITD program off the table.

Expenses - The Company has proposed maintaining the current East per diem of $1.90 domestic and $2.10 International (scheduled to increase to $2.00 and $2.20 respectively on 12/21/08). The JNC believes those per diem rates-even with the scheduled increases- are not realistic. The low per diem rate is particularly problematic on international trips. The JNC has not proposed per diem rates but have made it clear to the Company we will be proposing higher rates when we negotiate Compensation (Section 3).

The JNC has proposed the restoration of crew meals with similar language to what existed before the bankruptcies. With the Company push to more efficiently schedule aircraft, it often leaves Flight Attendants no time to leave the aircraft in order to get something to eat. While most pilots are more than willing to help out we do not believe we should have to rely on their good intentions.

The issue of commuter parking has become a problem due to the stringent requirements of the current contract language and the fact that many airports are eliminating commuter parking. We are close to an agreement on a flat $25.00 monthly payment to any Flight Attendant, regardless of their city of residence, in lieu of domicile parking at the Flight Attendants option. We are also close to agreement on a public transit credit of either the cost of the domicile parking or $25.00, whichever is greater, should a Flight Attendant choose to utilize public transportation rather than have domicile parking.

Common Domicile - Common or Co-Domicile language is found in the East contract under Deadhead (Section 14). The language limits the use of Co-Domiciles to include IAD as part of the DCA domicile and EWR and JFK as part of the LGA domicile. The JNC has chosen to maintain the East language and we believe we can close this section out at our next session.

Future Negotiations - The JNC is in the process of drafting a benefits section that would include the components of the East Section 22- Health, Welfare, Retirement, and Other Benefits. This highly important section deals with medical insurance, life and accidental death insurance as well as retiree benefits. The committee has consulted East and West MEC Benefits Chairpersons as well as AFA International Benefits Attorneys. Once we have presented the proposal to the Company you will be updated with the contents of the proposal.

CREWMEMBER TRAVEL REMINDER

With the Summer almost upon us the Union wants to remind you of the Company policy with respect to family members or buddy pass travelers traveling with a working Flight Attendant or a Flight Attendant eligible to ride a US Airways jumpseat.

Here is the policy:

November 20, 2007

Effective immediately, eligible family members and guest pass travelers will receive an SA3P priority when traveling on the same aircraft as the
employee who is a crewmember working the flight.

Airport Customer Service will verify that the crewmember is working the flight and that the accompanying traveler is traveling under the crewmember's benefits. A jumpseat-eligible employee who is non-revving with their family may elect to take the jumpseat in order accommodate the whole party when there aren't enough seats for everyone. When this happens, the family does not lose their boarding priority status.

As a reminder, you are not permitted to allow your minor child/children (16 and under) to accompany you on flights for which you are a working member of the crew.

Feedback Venues:

askinflight@usairways.com
Ask InFlight Feedback Form on the hub
Ask InFlight Hotline: 800-327-0117 +1+5+6+1

Thank you,

Mike Flores, President
The US Airways Master Executive Council
AFA-CWA

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AFA US Airways Website

www.afausairways.org

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.

AFA Local Numbers
 
Council 41 DCA 703-212-8090
Council 69 BOS 781-289-8454
Council 70 PHL 215-492-0840
Council 82 LGA 315-736-3483
Council 89 CLT 704-527-0325

New Hotline Number Toll Free: 866-USA-AFA2
US AIRWAYS Benefits Information 800-872-4780

Reply to Inflight: askinflight@usairways.com

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

Your MEC Officers
Association of Flight Attendants
Hotline & *E-Line* - US Airways