AFA US Airways MEC E-Line - "Staying Informed"

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2002 Archived - E-Lines

• ETB Modifications
• August Transfers
• Merger Committee
• Additional Medical Benefit Increase
• Benefits and Unpaid Leaves
• Accessing The Hub
• AFA Local Numbers

Dear Members,

ETB Modifications

Please read the below message that is posted via CBS message regarding ETB Modifications e.g., Drop Requests relating to deactivating the approval feature and LODOs who are qualified in more than one language and their
ETB trips.

Teddy
MEC President

The following CBS message has been posted:

1. ETB Drops: When you are posting a drop request you will no longer need to approve the request.  All drop "only" request will be automatically approved  without asking you.  When a flight attendant agrees to pick up your posted pairing the request will go directly to Crew Scheduling to verify if the trade (drop only) request is legal to be processed.

2. LODOs/ETB: A flight attendant currently in the LODO program who is qualified in more than one language, i.e., has passed Company required tests, is permitted to pick up or trade trips via the ETB in any language in which he/she is qualified.

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August Transfers

Following went out on a CBS message:

Subject:  August Transfers

THE FOLLOWING FLIGHT ATTENDANT BASE DOMICILE BIDS ARE EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2005 (AUGUST BID MONTH):

      BOS   +25*    LGA   +0*

      CLT   +0*     PHL   +50*

      DCA   +10*    PIT   +0*

 *possible contingent opening as a result of the bid

The Transfer form has been updated and is for electronic submission via theHub.

ALL requests MUST be submitted electronically via theHub.

Paper forms will NOT be accepted. However, those paper forms already on file will remain on file until a transfer is awarded or the form is retracted.

Those flight attendant wishing to change their domicile must submit a transfer form via theHub by 12:00 NOON, JUNE 6, 2005.

Paul Kinsey
Manager Inflight Performance and Staffing

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Merger Committee
 
At  this time the MEC will be only filling (2) positions on a merger committee for the purpose of seniority integration on June 14 at the June MEC Meeting.  Additional members maybe sought for the purpose of selecting 1 or more joint committee members for the purpose of integration of contract agreements which will be posted for applications after that meeting.  The MEC of both AWA and US Airways will meet with AFA International to discuss " Section X merger policy"
 
Thank you for your interest in advance. 

To request an application please call, 877-330-0449 or send a resume to Deb McCormick, MEC Secretary/Treasurer: DMccormick@afausairways.org. An online application is available HERE http://www.afausairways.org/mec/onlineapp.html. Applications must be in by June 13. 

Please read carefully the role and responsibilities of the Merger Committee listed in Section X, "MERGER POLICY AND RELATED EMPLOYEE PROTECTIVE PROVISIONS" of the AFA Constitution and Bylaws. Section X of the Bylaws can be found HERE (http://www.afausairways.org/policy/section_x.htm)
 
Teddy
MEC President

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Additional Medical Benefit Increase

The below information is being sent to all Flight Attendants via CBS.  As a reminder, we sent information out to you recently via E-line explaining the recent negotiations we had with the company regarding the additional medical benefit increase at "employee active rate" while on unpaid medical that was an enhancement to the ratified 2004 agreement. This will go into effect on June 1, 2005.  There is also added information regarding Travel privileges, vacation and sick, life insurance, and military leaves.

Teddy
MEC President

 

The MEC is publishing the information below for informational purposes only. Publishing this information on this Eline does not indicate that the MEC is agreeing or disagreeing with the information contained herein.

Subject: Benefits and Unpaid Leaves

Date: May 24, 2005
To: All Flight Attendants 
From: Cindi Simone- Manager, Inflight Administration & Planning
Subject: Benefits and Unpaid Leaves
As the Company continues to implement provisions of the 2004 AFA-US Airways Flight Attendant Agreement, I wanted to update you on an important provision which will become effective on June 1, 2005.

Following are the modifications to Section 20 (Leaves of Absence) as negotiated that will affect flight attendants going on unpaid leaves of absence after June 1st and, if applicable, the changes affecting those flight attendants who were placed on a leave of absence prior to June 1st.

Medical & Dental Benefits: The negotiated language states that medical and dental benefits will be suspended upon commencement of a leave with the exception of medical and maternity leaves of absence, which will carry benefits for the first 60 days of the leave, or for any greater period required by applicable law. The Company and AFA had subsequent discussions which resulted in the Company agreeing to extend the number of days during which medical and dental benefits would be carried to 180 days for medical, maternity and adoption leaves. Therefore, beginning June 1st, flight attendants going out on an unpaid medical, maternity or adoption leaves will pay the active rates for medical and dental benefits for 180 days and will be eligible for COBRA thereafter. Medical and dental benefits for all other unpaid leaves will be suspended immediately upon commencement of the leave and the flight attendant will be eligible for COBRA at that time.

Please note that the Company has chosen to grandfather those flight attendants on unpaid leaves prior to June 1st for medical and dental benefits and life insurance under the current contractual language, which may be found in Section 20 of the 2000 Flight Attendant Agreement.

Longevity: Flight attendants on unpaid leaves on June 1st and thereafter will retain but not accrue longevity for pay and vacation step increases. Seniority for competitive bidding will not be affected.

Travel Privileges: Non-revenue travel benefits for flight attendants on unpaid leaves on June 1st and thereafter will be according to corporate policy. Currently, corporate policy for travel for those employees on unpaid medical and maternity leaves provides that the employee and his/her eligible family members are eligible for two (2) online personal passes which may be used any time during the leave. Unlimited passes are granted for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment. For further information on travel associated with leaves of absence, please refer to Section B-4 in the Corporate Policy Manual which may be accessed on theHub.

Any passes issued prior to June 1st to flight attendants currently on leave will not count towards the allowable number of passes as outlined in the corporate policy manual. Please reference the enclosure for detailed information regarding new pass request procedures.

Life Insurance: Company paid life insurance will be suspended upon commencement of an unpaid leave with the exception of medical, maternity and adoption leaves, which will carry life insurance for the first sixty (60) days of the leave. Those flight attendants on unpaid leaves prior to June 1st  will be grandfathered for medical and dental benefits and life insurance under the current contractual language, which may be found in Section 20 of the 2000 Flight Attendant Agreement.

Vacation & Sick Leave Accrual: Please reference the new agreement under both the Vacation and Sick sections for provisions on vacation and sick accruals for the calendar months.

Finally, benefits while on Military Leave are covered by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and will be provided in accordance with USERRA. Flight attendants on military leave will be treated no less favorably than as provided in Corporate Policy for other employees.

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 40 PIT 724-695-3329
Council 41 DCA 703-690-6859
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

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