In This E-Line

• RETIRING FLIGHT ATTENDANTS
• NOTICE OF ELECTION
• New Voluntary Furlough 2 Program (VF2)

For those Flight Attendants that are considering retiring from the company now, or in the near future, here are a few strategies for choosing your retirement date. Remember, you are in control of the day of the month that you retire. We suggest that you choose a day that falls after you have used the bulk of your vacation. Here's why: 

Regardless of which division you are in or which block position that you hold, if you retire prior to a stretch of seven or more vacation days, the Company will only pay domestic rates with no premiums. (AFA is continuing to investigate this issue and will make a determination to file a grievance on this issue, in the near future.)

If you choose a retirement date that falls after that seven-day stretch, you will be paid according to the division you are in with all premiums applicable. 

If you choose a retirement date that falls in the middle of a stretch of seven days, you will be paid the higher rate for the days that fall previous to retirement, but lower rates for the days that fall after retirement. 

EXAMPLE:

Flight Attendant Schmidt (55 years old with 35 years seniority), an International F/A (6 trip option), has a 7 day stretch of vacation in December of this year. Her block number is 123, senior position. Her vacation dates are December 22 thru 28. She has decided that she wants to retire on Christmas Day.

DECEMBER

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
22 Vacation	23 Vacation	24 Vacation	25 Vacation Retire Date	26 Vacation	27 Vacation	28 Vacation

In this instance, F/A Schmidt would be paid 6:50 per day (6:09 per day after Jan. 1, 2003), plus premiums for December 22, 23, and 24.  Her retirement commences on December 25. From the 25th on, she would be paid 4:30 per day (4:03 per day after Jan. 1, 2003), with no premiums, thru the 28th. 

The Company's reasoning is that from retirement forward, F/A Schmidt is no longer with the company, so she is no longer entitled to be paid a premium (senior pay), for a block that she no longer holds. Furthermore, she is no longer a Flight Attendant, so consequently, she is no longer in the International division.

From the point that a F/A retires, the Company will only look forward.  From the Company's point of view, in this example, they are doing a vacation "pay-out" for only 4 days of vacation. Therefore, they will only pay the lower vacation rate of 4:30 per day (4:03 per day, after Jan. 1. 2003). Again, at domestic pay rates.

This applies to any vacation that will be paid out after retirement. If it is seven days in a row, you will get the seven day , domestic rate with no premiums. If it is less than seven days, it will be paid out at the lower daily domestic rate, with no premiums. (Please see the Tentative Agreement Summary, pages 22 and 23 to determine your applicable vacation rate, beginning January 1, 2003.) 

It would be to your advantage to use all of your vacation prior to retirement, if possible. Plan your retirement accordingly, and if possible, re-bid your vacation wisely. 

When you contact Human Resources, you will probably be urged to choose a retirement date that falls on the first of the month. This is not necessary for flight attendants. You can choose the date that works best for you. Keep in mind that Human Resources and Inflight use separate computer systems and do necessarily share retirement information. You must contact your Inflight Supervisor, to confirm your retirement date with them.

We have also received many inquiries concerning sick time. The Company looks at sick time as a privilege. Therefore, sick time will NOT be paid out as vacation is.  Whatever sick time you have accrued over the years will be lost to you upon retirement

NOTICE OF ELECTION 
US Airways Master Executive Council 
POSITION AVAILABLE  - NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE FOR MIDATLANTIC AIRWAYS SIDELETTER 

**IMPORTANT READ: Go HERE (http://www.afausairways.org/MEC/onlineapp.html) to submit your application online, fill it out and submit.  Or you can go HERE (http://www.afausairways.org/MEC/Committee_App2.doc) and download the Word document and mail or fax it in to the address and fax number listed below. If you do not have Microsoft Word on your PC, go HERE (http://www.afausairways.org/MEC/options.html) to find other file formats.**

Position to be filled at the MEC Meeting held at the Renaissance Parc 55 Hotel in San Francisco, California on October 11, 2002.  Potential MidAtlantic flight attendants are encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates should call or write the US Airways MEC office for an application.  Applications, willingness to serve statements and/or resumes must be received no later than Wednesday, October 9, 2002 and sent or emailed to: mailto:lmiller@afausairways.org

Association of Flight Attendants, AFL-CIO 
One Thorn Run Center - Suite 320 
1187 Thorn Run Road 
Coraopolis, PA  15108 
(412-262-3110) phone (412-262-2310) fax

mailto:lmiller@afausairways.org

Qualifications: 

• US Airways Flight Attendant
• AFA member in good standing 

New Voluntary Furlough 2 Program (VF2)

Please share the following information with fellow Flight Attendants presently on 'Inactive/leave' status who wish to participate in the New Voluntary Furlough 2 Program (VF2). 

Originally, the company was very specific in that the VF 2 would NOT include anyone who was on an inactive status either at the beginning of the bid process or at the initiation of the program. 

The company has agreed to soften their original requirement. 

Here is the updated information:

Flight attendants on 'inactive/leave' status CAN participate in the VF 2.  However, they MUST have a Doctor's release to return-to-work by December 2, 2002. 

THE DOCTOR'S NOTE MUST INCLUDE the Name and Payroll Number of the flight attendant and MUST be submitted to the company NO LATER THAN October 15, 2002.

Unfortunately, before knowing of today's change, I gave the old information to several flight attendants who called or wrote asking about 'inactive status' in combination with the VF 2.  Please help me correct the misinformation by letting your fellow flight attendants who may be out on a leave know of the new changes. 

Thank you very much for your help in this matter.

FYI; To apply for the VF 2, look for application forms in the crew room or ask your Inflight Supervisor how you might obtain one.